‘No one will be harsher than me if cows are slaughtered in West Bengal’: Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has warned of strict consequences if any incident of cow slaughter takes place in the state. He said cows are sacred to Hindus and any harm to them would not be tolerated. He also announced plans to deport alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators and grant citizenship to Hindu refugees under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Mr Adhikari made the remarks at a public rally in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, on Thursday (October 29). “No one should raise a hand against Gomata. No one should harm Gomata. I am making it clear that if such an incident occurs, no one will be harsher than me,” he said.

Speaking about border security, Mr Adhikari said no illegal madrasas would be allowed to operate in border areas. He warned that action would be taken against such institutions to prevent anti-national activities.

Taking a tough stance on alleged infiltrators, the chief minister said those who enter India illegally would be held at detention centres before being deported to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the process of granting citizenship to Hindus who sought refuge in India due to religious persecution in Bangladesh would be expedited.

Mr Adhikari said around 9,000 applications for citizenship under the CAA had been submitted in Uttar Dinajpur district. He said he had instructed the district magistrate to complete hearings on the applications by November 30. He added that steps would be taken to ensure eligible applicants receive citizenship and have their names included in the electoral rolls by January.

Mr Adhikari also said legal measures would be taken to ensure that no Hindu refugee from Bangladesh remains in jail. He said he would assign the responsibility to the state law minister.