Assam NRC list: BJP doing what Congress had no courage to do, says Shah

The National Register for Citizens (NRC) in Assam has become the  latest flashpoint between political parties inside and outside the Parliament.

As different opposition parties accused the BJP government of trying to target migrants in the name of flushing out illegal Bangladeshi citizens, the saffron party hit back saying they are implementing what was originally envisaged in the Assam Accord signed by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

BJP chief Amit Shah, who was not allowed to speak inside the Rajya Sabha as his speech was disrupted by protesting opposition MPs, held a press conference to make his party's stance clear.

"There is an attempt to misinterpret. Other parties are saying that NDA is doing this, but they didn't clarify how NRC came (into existence). Assam has always been facing unrest due to illegal migrants coming to the state. Congress was in power and Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister when Assam Accord was signed. NRC was the soul of that accord," Shah said.

He said the Congress had tried to bring out NRC in 2005. "They left it in between as they didn't have courage to implement it. They had vote bank in mind. It was only after PIL was filed in the Supreme Court that this decision had come," the BJP president said.

As both the Congress and the TMC launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, Shah asked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to clarify their stand over illegal Bangladeshis.

The BJP chief did not commit if the NRC will be brought in other states as demanded by his state leaders. “We will react when there is a debate to extend the same in other parts of the country.”

Shah tried to clear the air that people from other parts of the country too will be asked to leave Assam. "I want to make clear that people from other states will not be disowned as they are are citizens of India. It's only for illegal migrants from abroad," he said.

On accusations that government was allowing Hindu migrants in the state but pushing out Muslim Bangladeshi migrants, Shah said, "We have to also make distinction between asylum seekers and illegal migrants."

He also hit out at Banerjee over her claim that there will be a civil war. “How can she say this? She trying to spread misinformation,” he said.

The BJP chief explained that the government is implementing what the Supreme Court has mandated.

"We have taken this step for the security of the country. Only an identification is being done. Next step will be decided in due course," Shah said when asked about what will they do with people who are illegal migrants.

Earlier during the day, the issue had figured in both the houses of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned for the day after the opposition MPs, particularly the Congress, protested against Shah's statement inside the house.

Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “Genuine Indians should not be sent out of the country. NRC should not be politicised and used as a vote bank. It is a human rights issue, not a Hindu-Muslim issue.”

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Border Security Force and Assam Rifles are deployed to stop further infiltration of Rohingyas. We have issued an advisory to states to monitor those who have already come and keep them in one place and not let them spread. States also have the right to deport them.”

Before the session began, MPs from TMC, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party staged a protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament over NRC issue.