Assam BJP president, Dilip Saikia, announced the party’s complete rejection of the current National Register of Citizens (NRC) on Thursday. Saikia emphasized the need for a new and error-free NRC to address concerns regarding illegal immigration in the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also criticized the existing NRC, highlighting significant anomalies.
The updated NRC, overseen by the Supreme Court, excluded over 19 lakh applicants, sparking widespread debate and political reactions in Assam. Both inclusion and exclusion errors have been alleged by various sections of society, making the exercise highly contentious. Sarma has stressed the flawed nature of the current NRC and advocated for a more accurate mechanism to ensure justice and transparency.
Saikia’s statements coincide with the BJP’s focus on safeguarding Assam’s demographic and cultural identity ahead of the upcoming elections. He assured that a revised NRC would be conducted in line with constitutional provisions and in the interest of indigenous people. However, opposition parties have criticized the BJP for politicizing the NRC issue and causing uncertainty among residents.
The NRC issue in Assam has deep historical roots, stemming from the Assam Accord of 1985, which established March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying and deporting illegal foreigners. With the BJP’s renewed stance on the NRC, the political debate surrounding this issue is expected to escalate in the lead-up to the elections.
