NRC final list opens a pandora box than resolving the migration problem

On 31st of August, the final list of the National Registration of Citizen (NRC) was published in Assam. Out of the 3.29 crore applicants a total of 3,11,21, 004 citizens were included in the list. Which means that lakhs of people were left out in the final  list. Earlier in July this year, the final draft of the NRC was published which excluded approximately 40 lakhs names. It is important to note, that the final list accommodated a larger population than the final draft. NRC was initiated as a measure to address the problem of infiltrators by registering the Indian citizens in Assam. Presumably, the demography of Assam substantially disturbed the following infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh and Assamese people who are demanding remedial measures to stop infiltration across the border. The NRC outcome instead of resolving the foreigners’ issue has left people in bewilderment and raised more questions than solutions. The major concerns surfacing are - immigration debate and the future of the 19 lakhs people left out in the final list. Infiltration from Bangladesh had dominated Assam’s political scene for a long time. All the political parties have tried to gain mileage out of it without working on a tangible solution to the problem. The state faced major ethnic violence over the infiltration issue in the 80s. The inhabitants of the state fears infiltrators will out-number the locals if remained unchecked. The phenomenal rise of Bengali Muslim population in some district cited in favour of their argument. However, there is no authentic government data ascertaining the exact number of infiltrators from Bangladesh. Occasionally, government sources tend to provide some estimates but the numbers varied in large degree, which ranged  from 30 lakhs to 2 crore. Exclusion of 19 lakh persons in the NRC leads to doubt validity of such estimates. A large population in Assam feels that a big chunk of the infiltrators has found ways to register themselves in the final list by providing various documents acquired fraudulently. NRC demands sincere analysis of the transparency in the process of issuance of the identity documents that validates one’s citizenship.  NRC once thought to end the debate over infiltration, however, that resulted in the beginning of a new tussle in the society of Assam. Some leaders of the ruling political party in the state have declared to look for alternative means to detect foreigners. There is an apprehension that NRC might further polarise the communities in Assam that fragmented in the ethnic and religious lines already. In 2010, NRC was first started as a pilot project in two districts of Assam  — Barpeta and Kamrup. Nevertheless, this was abandoned in the aftermath of violence in one of the districts. NRC got a fresh momentum after the Supreme Court’s intervention in the response of a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation Assam Public Works demanding the removal of the illegal migrants from the voters' list. The Assam government under the supervision of the Supreme Court executed NRC. An important question that comes up is, the preponderant issue to introspect NRC was benefited by whom- the local or the migrants.  Ultimately, the point to ponder is, it is the lives of the people involved. Even if the people excluded are migrants, they had compelling reasons behind their migration. In the present era, deportation is not a preferred option. Moreover, Bangladesh does not recognise infiltration-taking place from its end. Again, government does not recognise all the people left out are illegal migrants rather refugees. For example, the Bengali Hindus who are forced to migrate to follow religious persecution back home. The ruling party in Assam has expressed its displeasure over the NRC outcome. Besides, an important section that is excluded is women who migrated to the state due to marriage. All such issues demand a patient hearing. The Government has laid down a well-structured redressal mechanism. In this respect, 400 Foreigners Tribunal (FT) have been set up to hear the cases of the people left out in NRC. Such individuals have to file their claim within 120 days from the declaration of the final list. FT is not the end of the road. If the individual is not happy with the verdict passed by the FT, he/shecan approach the High Court and Supreme Court. In addition, the government declared no one be treated as a foreigner unless he/she has exhausted all the legal options. Yet, such announcement could not subside the agony and the trauma of the people of being stateless. The NRC has exposed many fault lines and to some extent dwindled the confidence level of   Assam’s people on the government  machinery. However aspiration for peace and pride for the country continues. People are hopeful that Assam as a state will be able to restore the spirit of its multiculturalism in coming times.

• Domestic Politics and Governance
• India
• Assam
• Migration
• NRC

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