CM announces new varsity for Matua community

Kolkata: The state government will set up a university to be named after Harichand Guruchand Thakur, founder of the Matua community in Thakurnagar in North 24-Parganas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday afternoon.

The land for the proposed university which will come up on 8.8-acre plot at Chandpara, off Thakurnagar, has been selected and Banerjee has instructed the District Magistrate of North 24-Parganas to put up a board there.

The Chief Minister had come to Thakurnagar to participate in the birth centenary celebrations of Binapani Devi, known as Boro Ma in the Matua community. She accorded Banga Bibhusan to Boro Ma and prayed for her long life.

Earlier, the state government had set up a college at Thakurnagar. Banerjee said the university will not only be for the local students but also those staying in the neighbourhood.

"As the university has been named after Harichand Guruchand Thakur, the students will come to know about him and his contribution in organising those belonging to the Namasudra community that had been oppressed in undivided India. The movement was equally strong in East Bengal, now Bangladesh," she said adding: "The Trinamool Congress has always supported those who have fought for the common people. We fight for Ma, Mati, Manus," she maintained.

Banerjee also announced the Matua Sangha Vikas Parishad. Earlier, she had announced the Namasudra Vikas Parishad. She said the names of the members of these two boards will be announced soon. She further added the state Tourism department will put up two gates near Thakurnagar ashram, headquarters of the Matuas. The entire area will be brightly illuminated. She asked the District Magistrate to prepare a beautification plan of the areas surrounding Thakurnagar ashram.

Coming down heavily on BJP, Banerjee said in the name of NRC, some groups with vested interests have planned to drive out the Bengali-speaking populace in Assam. "Those whose names have been dropped from the NRC list should always remember that the people of Bengal are with you," she said. Banerjee alleged that many people who have the voter's identity card, ration card and caste certificates have been dropped from the NRC. "This is nasty politics and we do not support it."

Banerjee said that Matua community member and TMC legislator Mamatabala Thakur and seven other party leaders were not allowed to leave Silchar airport in Assam when they had gone there after the publication of the final draft of NRC.

Banerjee wished that someday Thakurnagar would become a global tourist spot as well. "Never feel that you represent a backward community as no community can be branded as forward or backward. Read seriously and the state government is there to support you," she told the students who had gathered to listen to her address.