New Delhi, July 30: A day after the much-anticipated second and final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam was published, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook and appealed to all members of the Congress party to help maintain peace and help all those against whom an injustice has been done in the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"I appeal to all members of the Congress party to help maintain peace and help all those against whom an injustice has been done in the draft NRC, no matter what their religion, caste, gender, linguistic group or political affiliation", Gandhi stated in his post.

The 48-year old Congress President said that the NRC was initiated by the UPA under former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh with an aim to fulfil the commitment made in the Assam Accord of 1985. "The manner in which this exercise has been undertaken by the BJP Governments at the centre and in the State of Assam leaves much to be desired", he added in his post.

Gandhi said there are reports pouring in from all corners of Assam of Indian citizens finding their names missing in the draft NRC, creating massive insecurity in the state. "Clearly, after spending close to 1,200 Cr, the execution of this critical and highly sensitive exercise has been tardy. The Government must move swiftly to resolve this crisis", he said in his post.

Meanwhile, Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that the NRC is the brainchild of the Congress party. Gogoi said that 40 lakh people whose names have been excluded should not worry. "They will get a chance. NRC is to find out the number of foreigners in Assam. As long as our name is in voters' list, we are citizens of India", Gogoi was quoted by ANI.

The final draft of the NRC was published on Monday with 2.9 crore names out of the total 3.29 crore applicants in Assam, Registrar General of India Sailesh was quoted by PTI.  The names of 40.07 lakh applicants did not find a place in the historic document, touted to be a proof of Assamese identity. The first draft of the NRC was published during the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 this year, containing 1.9 crore names.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).