Rajnath allays fears over NRC

New Delhi, July 22

Ahead of the publication of NRC in Assam, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said there was no need to panic and all bonafide Indians will be given adequate opportunities to prove their citizenship.

In a series of tweets, the Home Minister said the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of Assam’s citizens, is being updated in accordance with the “Assam Accord” signed on August 15, 1985, and is being carried out as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which is constantly monitoring the process.

“There is no reason for panic or fear. No person will be allowed to be harassed. We will ensure that every individual gets justice and is treated in a humane manner,” he said.

Singh assured that the NRC exercise was being carried out in an impartial, transparent and meticulous manner and would continue to be so.

“All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for all remedies available under the law. At every stage of the process, adequate opportunity is given to all persons to be heard,” he said.

The minister said the process was being conducted according to law and due procedure is being followed.

Singh said the Centre wanted to make it clear that the NRC, to be published on July 30, was only a draft and after draft publication, adequate opportunity for claims and objections will be available.

“All claims and objections will be duly examined. Adequate opportunity of being heard will be given before disposal of claims and objections. Only thereafter, final NRC will be published,” he said.

The minister said the Citizenship Rules provided that any person who was not satisfied with the outcome of claims and objections could appeal in the Foreigner’s Tribunal. Therefore, there was no question of anyone being put in a detention centre after the publication of NRC, he said. — PTI