Assam NRC: SC Restrains NRC Coordinator From Speaking to Media
Over 40 lakh people have been left out of the NRC draft released on 31 July.
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The Supreme Court began hearing the Assam National Register of Citizens case on 7 August, reported PTI. Over 40 lakh names were left out of the NRC draft released on 31 July, fuelling a major backlash against the Modi government’s decision.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that the names of no Indian citizen will be left out of the NRC as the process was “fair and objective”.
- The NRC features the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens who have been residing in Assam before 25 March 1971
- Those left out will be able to file an online application on the NRC website or by visiting a NRC Seva Kendra
- Home Minister Rajnath Singh had kept Bangladesh informed and had said nobody is talking deportation.
SC Warns NRC Coordinator and RGI on its Statements Given to Media
The Supreme Court today warned the coordinator of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC), Prateek Hajela and Registrar General of India’ S Shailesh, against speaking to the media.
The apex court said that the two were guilty of "contempt of court". The court further asked why Hajela and Registrar General had spoken to the media when the court wasn't informed about anything.
NRC Case Listed for 2 pm on 7 Aug in SC
The NRC matter is listed for 2 pm on 7 August in the Supreme Court.
Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP-RSS of Making Misleading Statements
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-RSS of making misleading statements against the Supreme Court and alleged that the core values of the country were being destroyed, on 5 August.
She also alleged that every single action of the BJP-RSS was one of "deliberate destructiveness and political vendetta".
"It is unfortunate that the BJP-RSS are making and spreading misleading statements against the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court never asked to delete names of #Indian citizens from the #NRC (sic)," she wrote on Twitter.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief also claimed that the names of soldiers, the family members of a former president, elected representatives, prominent members of the civil society, the poor and deprived were missing from the final draft of the NRC.
BJP, TMC, AIUDF Doing Politics on NRC: Maulana Syed Dehlavi
Anjuman Minhaj-E Rasool, an Islamic organisation working for peace and communal harmony, charged the BJP, Trinamool Congress and AIUDF of politicking over the NRC issue on Sunday.
Evil Design in Mamata's Remarks, Sending Tmc Team to Assam: Sonowal
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hit out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, saying there was an "evil design" in her remarks and sending a TMC team to the northeastern state to destabilise the NRC process.
Sonowal thanked the people of Barak Valley for the "exemplary composure" they exhibited, without falling prey to the "divisive design of the external forces", an official release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.
He also condemned the alleged move of the external forces to vitiate the peaceful environment in Assam in the name of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the release added.
Assam CM Slams Mamata Banerjee
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hit out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, saying there was an "evil design" in her remarks and sending a TMC team to the north-eastern state to destabilise the NRC process.
He thanked the people of Barak Valley for the "exemplary composure" they exhibited, without falling prey to the "divisive design of the external forces", an official release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.
Delhi Intimated Dhaka About NRC in July, Said No Deportation Talks
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Dhaka on 13 July, had briefed Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on the “broad counters” of the NRC and the process adopted by the Centre, reported The Indian Express, citing anonymous sources. According to the sources, Singh had told Bangladesh that the process was “purely draft” and that nobody was talking about deportation.
Cannot Have Ex-Servicemen Out of the List: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that we “cannot leave our borders”, but highlighted that ex-servicemen had not been included in the final draft.
Communal Disharmony Being Spread: Derek O'Brien
Responding to Rajnath Singh, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said that the government was spreading communal disharmony following the release of the Assam NRC draft.
No Coercive Action Against Anyone, Repeats Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh repeated that there will no coercive action against anyone in any situation, in connection with the Assam NRC row.
“I am saying this again, that no coercive action will be taken against anyone in any situation. Attempts to create an atmosphere of fear are condemnable,” Rajnath Singh said in Rajya Sabha on 3 August.
He added that everyone will get a chance to apply for citizenship and that everyone will get a chance to apply for final list. He said that the NRC procedure commenced in 1985 through the Assam accord when the late Rajiv Gandhi ji was the prime minister.
“The decision to update was taken by Manmohan Singh ji in 2005,” Singh said.
Only Claims & Objections to be Addressed Now: Registrar General of India
Responding to a question regarding the current status of those whose names have not been included in the final draft, the Registrar General of India said: “At this moment there will be no other action. Only claims and objections will be addressed, until the final list is drawn up...Till the final list is published later this year status quo remains. They will not be looked at Indian citizens nor as foreigners- they will merely be looked at as ‘applicants’.”
He also stated: “Based on this draft there is no question of any reference to Foreigners Tribunal or any person being taken to the detention centre.”
2,89,83,677 Applicants Found Eligible
Out of 3,29,91,385 applicants 2,89,83,677 have been found eligible for inclusion in complete draft of NRC, released on 31 July. A total of 40,07,708 people did not make the list.
“This is just a draft, and not the final list. The people who are not included can make claims and objections,” the State Coordinator said.
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