Supreme Court Notices Govt on Assam To Complete NRC ID Process

The Supreme Court on November 10 issued notice in a writ petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and the All Assam Minorities Student Union (AAMSU), seeking directions for the Union of India and the Registrar General of Citizen Registration to complete pending statutory steps under the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

The petition requests that National Identity Cards be issued to all individuals included in the final NRC and that rejection slips be provided to those excluded, enabling them to legally appeal before the Foreigners’ Tribunals.

The petitioners pointed out that even though the final NRC was published on 31 August 2019, more than 6 years ago, authorities have not yet fulfilled the legal requirements.

This includes issuing ID cards to the 3.11 crore citizens found eligible under Rule 13 of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, and providing rejection notices and initiating appeals for the 19 lakh excluded persons under Paragraph 8 of the Schedule to Rule 4A.

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the authorities to ensure the completion of the NRC process, covering both inclusion and exclusion cases.

The petitioners contend that the authorities’ inaction has left the final NRC incomplete, making it unconstitutional, arbitrary, and in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Also Read: 'NRC First, Then SIR': ECI Confirms Assam's Exclusion From Nationwide Exercise