West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced New university for Matua community

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the foundation of a new university for the Matua community here. Matuas are primarily Hindu refugees from Bangladesh and are considered to be Bengal’s second most influential scheduled caste community, with an estimated population of nearly 30 lakh.

The university, to be named after Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur — the founding fathers of the sect, would be built on 8.1 acres of land in North 24 Parganas district’s Chandpara, five km from the headquarters of All India Matua Mahasangha, the representative body of the community, Banerjee said at an event marking the birth centenary of Dalit Matua community matriarch Binapani Debi, better known as ‘Baro-ma’.

The Matuas have been a big political force behind Mamata Banarjee’s win in the 2011 and 2016 legislative assembly elections in Bengal. (IANS)

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