Bangladesh shouldn’t worry about Assam’s citizenship move: Senior Indian official

The draft National Register of Citizens or NRC in Assam will “not affect” Bangladesh, an Indian diplomat in New Delhi has said.

The NRC list that was published on Monday is only a draft, the diplomat who asked not to be named, told bdnews24.com

“Every individual of Assam state will be given adequate time and opportunity to prove his or her claim,” the diplomat said, citing the Indian home minister’s statement that every individual will get “justice” and will be treated in a “humane manner”.

“The exercise is being carried out in a totally objective, transparent and meticulous manner.”

The draft raises concern as about four million people, mostly Muslims, have been excluded from the list of citizens. There has been rhetoric in Assam that there are ‘illegal’ Bangladeshis who will be driven out after the new registration.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry did not make any official statement on this issue.

The Indian diplomat referred to Bangladesh High Commissioner in India Syed Muazzem Ali’s recent statement in Kolkata that the publication of draft is an “internal matter” of India and that New Delhi never raised the issue at the official level.

“The issue has not been officially raised by both the governments,” Ali said.

“So, as of now this is an internal matter and I have seen conflicting positions of different Indian states on this particular issue and I will not interfere in an internal matter.”

The high commissioner said the issue can only become “bilateral” if the Indian government takes it up with the Bangladesh government.

Mentioning the statement made by the Bangladesh high commissioner, he said Dhaka has nothing to worry about.

The diplomat said the Supreme Court of India is monitoring the process.

 “It’s not a political process. The government is working as per the instruction and supervision of the Supreme Court.”

The chief minister of Assam has said that there is no question of anyone being put in detention camp. “No one will be treated as a foreigner if his or her name does not appear in the NRC draft.”

The NRC exercise is taking place as per the special provision of the citizenship act (1955) and the citizenship rule (2003) as amended.

The central government has asked the state government of Assam to ensure that law and order is maintained and no-one is allowed to take law into their hands and all possible arrangements are made to ensure safety and security for all.

“No person is allowed to be harassed and no-one is allowed to create fear or panic. The government of India will provide all necessary help to the government of Assam in this regard.”