“There is nothing to politicize about NRC Draft. It is impartial” says Rajnath Singh shutting down opposition

New Delhi, July 30: Citing the National Register of Citizens Draft for Assam as “impartial”, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that those whose names are not included shouldn't panic as they will get an opportunity to prove their Indian citizenship.

The home minister's reaction came after the draft NRC was published today with the names of about 40 lakh residents of the state not being included.

Speaking to the media in Delhi, the Home Minister said "No coercive action will be taken against anyone. Hence, there is no need for anyone to panic." Even someone whose name is not in the final list can approach the foreigner’s tribunal, Rajnath Singh said. "Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear. This is a completely impartial report. No misinformation should be spread. This is a draft and not the final list".

 

The NRC is a list of Assam's citizens and it is being updated following a direction of the Supreme Court. Addressing the Lok Sabha Monsoon Session, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there is no need of politicizing anything about the NRC Draft. It is happening under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

The Trinamool Congress has shown a strong reaction against the NRC Draft published today morning stating that the central government has intentionally eliminated more than 40 lakh religious & linguistic minorities from NRC(National Register of Citizens) which will have serious consequences on the demography of different states adjoining Assam.

 

Speaking to the media about the released NRC draft, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said that the people are being isolated through a game plan. Stating that the consequences would affect other states, the West Bengal Chief Minister showing false worry for the people said that its a plan to throw out Bengali speaking people and Biharis.

Further, she added that there were people who have Aaadhar cards and passports but still their names are not in the draft list. Names of people were removed on the basis of surnames also. Is the Govt trying to do forceful eviction? Where will the 40 lakh people whose names have been deleted go? Does Centre have any rehabilitation program for them? Ultimately it is Bengal which will suffer. Requesting the Home Minister to bring an amendment, Mamta Banerjee tried playing her cards safely.

 

However, these reactions by the opposition would only backfire at them at the end because the Home Minister had already stated that this draft released by the state of Assam is just a draft and not the final report. Apart from this the citizens whose names have not been included in the list will get an opportunity to claim to provide that they prove their citizenship to the authorities.

 

Also, the state government has given full data to the people to claim their names and there is no need to panic.