Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking at the Rajya Sabha today said that the NRC (National Register of Citizens) will be implemented across India. He said that no one should be worried about NRC as it is just a process of getting everyone under the NRC irrespective of their religion.
Kashmir issue:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing Rajya Sabha began by taking on the questions on the Kashmir issue raised by Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and gives a crystal clear picture on the current situation in the Valley by reaffirming that not a single civilian has died in police firing in Kashmir after August 5.
He spoke about the communication blockade in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370. “Section 144 is removed from Jammu and Kashmir. We agree that mobile and internet are important facilities and needs to be restored soon. But we must remember that it was the BJP that had brought mobile to the Valley. But when it comes to the safety of the country, we have to set a priority. As we all know, the situation in Kashmir remains tensed due to threats from across the border. As far as the internet is concerned, its restoration will be carried out at an appropriate time on admin inputs,” he said.
He said that there has been no shortage of medicines, all English language newspapers and TV channels available in Valley. Markets are shut in the afternoons but reopen in the evenings and over 20,000 schools are open, said the Union Minister.
NCR in Assam:
Speaking on the NRC, he said that it was monitored by the Supreme Court and no religion is targeted or isolated in it.
Talking about those names which have been excluded from the final draft of the NRC in Assam, Amit Shah said, “People whose names are not in the NRC have the right to approach the tribunal…Assam government is also ready to foot the expenses of people who can’t afford a legal counsel.”
To clear opposition’s qualms, Shah spelt out the difference between NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Bill. “NRC has no such provision which says that no other religion will be taken under NRC. All citizens of India irrespective of religion will figure in the NRC list. The NRC is different from Citizenship Amendment Bill.”
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“Citizenship Amendment Bill is needed so that refugees get Indian citizenship. Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Parsi refugees should get citizenship, that is why Citizenship Amendment Bill is needed so that these refugees who are being discriminated on basis of religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan, get Indian citizenship”, specified Shah.
HM Amit Shah: Hindu, Buddhist,Sikh,Jain, Christian, Parsi refugees should get citizenship,that is why Citizenship Amendment Bill is needed so that these refugees who are being discriminated on basis of religion in Pakistan,Bangladesh or Afghanistan, get Indian citizenship pic.twitter.com/5Bu56ZRxOQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2019
Finally, putting all the speculation to rest, Amit Shah took this opportunity to declare Modi Government’s plan on NRC. Making a huge declaration that NRC would be eventually carried out on a nationwide basis, Shah spelt out that no one needs to worry as no faith will be excluded in the process.
The nearly month-long winter session of Parliament beginning Nov 18 will see over 35 legislations taken up, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The session, which will end on Dec 13, will see a total of 20 sittings.
