No Negative Repurcussions Due To NRC: Rajnath Singh

Kalinga TV News Network

New Delhi: Amidst the opposition creating an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over the NRC draft, Union Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the list published on Monday is just a draft and not the final NRC.

He further stated that the Central Government has modified rules so that the 40 lakh applicants whose name did not appear in Monday’s draft list can get themselves enlisted by proving their residency.

As per information received from Home Ministry officials, the process to file claims and objections, which should have been initiated immediately after the publication of the final draft, will now take place between August 31- September 30. The period may also be extended further.

The Home Minister also emphasised that the draft pertaining to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for the state of Assam is absolutely impartial and those who did not appear in the draft list will get a definitely get a chance to prove their Indian nationality.

Singh further added that those who do not find a place in the final NRC will get an opportunity to take their plea to the Foreigners Tribunal. This removes any doubts regarding the process being partial, biased, coercive or that it is unsecular and targets a particular community.

Home Ministry officials have also revealed that amendments are under process in the rules pertaining to Foreigners Tribunal Order, 1964 to enable the applicants directly approach the Tribunals.  As per current provision, only the state government and the state police possess the authority to move the tribunal against any person who is being suspected to be living illegally in Assam.

Interestingly, the NRC draft which was presented on Monday has met with a mixed response in the country and abroad. While Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal praised the Centre’s effort to solve the problems of illegal immigrants, international bodies have vehemently criticised this move; calling it a grudgeful weapon directed towards minorities and have compared it with Myanmar’s abolition of Rohingya rights in 1982.