Rahul Gandhi expresses concern over NRC

Expressing concern over the final draft of NRC in Assam on Monday, Rahul Gandhi slammed BJP government on social media terming NRC as "tardy execution of this critical and highly sensitive exercise".

"The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was initiated by the UPA under Manmohan Singh to fulfil the commitment made in the Assam Accord of 1985. However, the manner in which this exercise has been undertaken by the BJP Governments at the centre and in Assam leaves much to be desired." said Gandhi in a Facebook post.

The government has ensured that the draft is not the ultimate list; all those missing from it will receive a letter and will be given a fair chance to produce proof of their citizenship.

The home ministry as well as the BJP-led Assam government assured that there would be no arrests or deportations until all the claims were verified.

"There are reports pouring in from all corners of Assam of Indian citizens finding their names missing in the draft NRC, creating massive insecurity in the state. Clearly, after spending close to 1,200 Cr, the execution of this critical and highly sensitive exercise has been tardy. The Government must move swiftly to resolve this crisis," scribed the Congress president.

Gandhi urged the members of his party to "help maintain peace and help those against whom injustice has been done, no matter what their religion, caste, gender, linguistic group of political affiliation."

NRC is being updated for the first time since 1951 to recognize Indian citizens living in Assam and identify those who entered the state from Bangladesh.