NRC of Assam Final Draft: Much More Than Just ‘Illegal Immigrants’ on Ground; Tension & Fear Among Indian Citizens Trying to Prove National Identity

On July 30, the final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) was released by the Assam Government. Over 40 lakh names did not appear in the latest one, triggering anxiety among the state’s citizens. Many families breathed a sigh of relief after finding their names in the draft prepared by the government, while the rest continue with their struggle to prove their national identity. The reasons could be many. However, it is much more than just ‘illegal immigrants’ on the ground. As the uproar continues, it ignites tension and fear among the Indian citizens. NRC Assam Row Rocks Rajya Sabha; Opposition Attacks BJP For 'Politicising' Issue, Amit Shah Says 'Only We Had The Guts to Implement it'. 

No doubt, July 30th NRC list was a draft, but the stakes are impossibly high. Most Bengali-speaking individuals from the majority and the minority community are missing from the list. It appears that the government's struggle is just to adjust the population and identify Indians. But it should also focus on calming the situation because it is only worsening in Assam. Here are the top rumours that are confusing the people in the state.

'July 30th is the Final list of NRC'

No! This is just a rumour doing the rounds on the ground. It is important to note that the list released on July 30 was indeed a final one but a draft copy and not the list of NRC. Yes, the ‘final draft’ is not the ‘final list’. Now, those who did not find their names in the NRC final draft can  raise objections, the process for which will begin on August 30 and continue till September 28. The final NRC will be released in December 2018.

Rumours of Muslims rushing to Bangladesh

If you are also the one to have come across such news, know that it is entirely bogus. In fact, a regional newspaper in Assam stated that individuals especially Muslims are keeping their identity intact and that four Muslims from the state had already left for the bordering country. Such unverified claims are only making the situation worse.

Transgenders not included

Amidst all the tensions, intentionally or not, it has been overlooked that the individuals from the transgender community are not included in the NRC lists. The Assam Transgender Association approached the Supreme Court and filed a petition seeking to intervene and add their names in NRC, 1951. However, an order on their plea is still awaited.

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Individuals from Assam’s remotest areas are in stress

Many people who are residing in the state, especially in the outermost regions, are puzzled because of lack of knowledge about NRC. Most of them are uneducated and end up believing in rumours more. To be honest, not just them, in fact, those living in the cities are not able to handle the matter maturely because of zero information. Instead of only concentrating on identifying the citizens of India, the government, and maybe non-profit organisations, could direct the residents with accurate knowledge of the motto, implications and steps for NRC.

A political affair

This is sad, but all the major political parties are focussed on their electoral calculus. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Assam government stating that NRC is nothing but a threat against the Bengali-speaking population and she confirmed that if need arises, individuals who do not find their names in the final coming list of NRC, could take shelter in West Bengal. Following her comments, the Assam Government stated that Banerjee is trying to use this issue for political gains.

On the other hand, Krishan Mukti Sangam Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi addressed media persons after the release of the final draft. As no unwanted incident was reported, he called the residents of Assam a ‘matured community’. He further said that “those who were doing politics by taking advantage of illegal migrants now got the answer with the publication of NRC final draft.” Now they have to “shut down their shops,” he added.

With the introduction of NRC, the precarious ethnic mix in the state has threatened to explode. For a long time, the immigrant issue has dominated Assam politics. There is no denying that the state has witnessed a large scale influx of ‘outsiders’ before and after Independence which includes migrants from within the country and outside, namely Bangladesh and Nepal. Unresolved, the matter reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that NRC prepared in 1951 should be updated in order to identify genuine citizens.

Despite being monitored by SC for the last three years, the draft list had unleashed confusion, panic and fear. While both the state and the central government have repeated that there should be no fear and panic, considering this is still a draft list, the anxieties run deep. It is the above significant effects which the government should focus on at the earliest.

(The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of LatestLY.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2018 05:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).