India on Tuesday, 10 September, said that the National Registrar of Citizens in Assam is a “statutory, transparent and non-discriminatory legal process” that is monitored by the Supreme Court, during the general debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, according to ANI.
Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry said that the implementation of NRC in Assam would comply with Indian law and is consistent with the country’s democratic traditions.
India's statement comes after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed concern over the NRC exercise.
Bachelet had said the recent verification process in Assam has caused great uncertainty and anxiety, with some 1.9 million people excluded from the final list published on 31 August, PTI reported.
She appealed to the Indian government to ensure due process during the appeals process, prevent deportation or detention, and ensure people are protected from statelessness.
The final Assam NRC list was released on 31 August, with 19,06,657 people being excluded and a total of 3,11,21,004 found eligible for inclusion.
Non-inclusion of a person’s name in NRC doesn’t amount to him/her being declared a foreigner, the MHA has clarified. Those left out of the NRC can file appeals before foreigners tribunals.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI.)
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