Jagdish Mukhi says the exercise will have a bearing on ‘security robustness’ of the country, adds it will be deemed ‘historic’ in years to come.
New Delhi: Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi Friday called for the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which has left 40 lakh people at the risk of losing their citizenship, to be implemented across the country.
“This is my feeling that NRC should be done in every state, with the Centre taking the lead. The exercise will have a bearing on the security robustness of the country,” Mukhi said.
The governor added that the process, now mired in controversy, will be deemed as a “historic exercise” in the years to come.
“There is no harm in identifying those who are not our nationals. I believe now that Assam has taken a lead, other states will take little time in beginning this process if they want to, as the legal framework is already here,” he said.
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He also insisted that the entire process was fair.
“The whole process is without any bias of religion or caste. The only bias is whether you are an Indian national or a foreigner,” Mukhi said, adding that he believed “100 per cent” there would be peace in the state.
Filing objections
The governor, however, said those not included in the final NRC draft, published on 30 July, will get reasonable time to file objections and claims. The time to file claims will begin on 30 August and end on 30 September.
“There will be a month for those whose names have not appeared in the NRC to file claims. I assure Assamese that not a single person who is Indian shall be left out,” he said.
Mukhi added that a Pro Forma would be provided to those who could not find their names in the NRC. Their details will then be verified by different departments through interviews and other ways.
“Even then if there are people left out, they can approach tribunals. It is a lengthy exercise and people should not worry. They will be guided appropriately and sufficiently,” the governor said.
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