Assam NRC is only a draft list, India assures Bangladesh

People queue to verify and check their names in the final draft of the National Register of Citizens, at Morigoan on August 4 | PTI People queue to verify and check their names in the final draft of the National Register of Citizens, at Morigoan on August 4 | PTI

India has repeatedly assured Bangladesh that the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) that was released recently in Assam is only a draft list, which was prepared under the directions of the Supreme Court, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. 

"Bangladesh, too, says that the NRC is an internal matter of India and it will have no impact on the bilateral relationship between the two nations," Kumar added.

The same assurance was also given to a visiting Member of Parliament Al Haj Maizvandary, who met minister of state for home a few days ago.

The NRC draft released recently leaves out about 40 lakh people residing in the state. Assam has borne the brunt of illegal immigration from Bangladesh and the NRC draft was a much delayed attempt at establishing the legal residents of the state. The cut off date for this was 1971.

While officials say that those whose names do not feature on the list will be given chance to prove their credentials, it is not clear what happens to those who cannot. 

Indications are clear that Bangladesh may not accept these people as the country is already battling the influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.