NRC Assam Final Draft: Government Asks Citizens Not to Panic Over Non-inclusion, Opposition Sees Red
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed people not to panic even as the opposition parties accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing communal politics on NRC Assam draft.
New Delhi, July 30: Following the declaration of the final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, the central government on Monday reiterated that people would be given "adequate opportunity for objections". Speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed people not to panic even as the opposition parties accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing communal politics on NRC Assam draft.
"Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear. This is a completely impartial report. No misinformation should be spread. Even someone whose name is not in the final list can approach the foreigners' tribunal. No coercive action will be taken against anyone; hence there is no need for anyone to panic," Rajnath Singh said. He emphasised the NRC draft is not a final list.
"I want to ask the opposition, what is the Centre's role in this? It is happening under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Such sensitive issues should not be politicized," Singh added.
Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora alleged irregularities in the preparation of the NRC draft. "40 lakh names ineligible is a very high figure and very surprising. There are a lot of irregularities in the report. We will raise this issue with the government and in the Parliament. A political motive of BJP is also behind this," Bora told news agency ANI. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) created an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over the issue.
No sooner had the House mourned the death of a former member and listed papers presented, TMC members led by their leader Derek O’Brien were up on their feet raising the issue. "Central government has intentionally eliminated more than 40 lakh religious and linguistic minorities from NRC, which will have serious ramifications on the demography of different states adjoining Assam. Prime Minister should come to the house and clarify it," TMC leader SS Roy said.
Nearly 40 lakh people in Assam are not in the draft list of the NRC, which has been updated for the first time since 1951, to account for illegal migration from nearby Bangladesh. State NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela said that nearly 2.89 crore people, out of 3.29 crore applicants, have been found eligible to be included in the register.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).