In a press conference, Trinamool Congress chief and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Central BJP government over the final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens(NRC) in which over 40 lakh people were excluded from the list.
Banerjee accused BJP of trying to ‘divide and rule’ by excluding those who do not vote for the party. “They are turning Indian people into refugees in their own country,” said Bengal CM. She also said that people with Aadhar cards and passports have not been included in the draft list. She added, “There were people who had 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?”
Banerjee said that the purpose is “to throw out Bengali speaking people and Biharis”, reported ANI. She asked, “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. Its just vote politics by BJP. Request Home Minister to bring an amendment.”
The list was criticized by the opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured those not in the list saying, “No coercive action will be taken against anyone. Hence, there is no need for anyone to panic.” He said that the NRC draft is “impartial”.
Singh said, “Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear… This is a draft and not the final list.” He added, “It is a sensitive issue and should not be politicised unnecessarily.”