21st Nov 2019 11:11:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Even if the CAB drama is yet to be enacted, from Union Home Minister’s remark in parliament last Wednesday it’s now clear that National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise is going to be an all-India affair. Although, as of now, nothing in detail has been spelt out, it’s clear that a lot of hullabaloo is in store as there are already deeply visible reservations against it, particularly in the political front. But, for the time being, all focus will seem to fall on the ‘foreseeable aftereffects’ this mammoth exercise might entail, whose essence can cumulatively be summed up in a word--anxiety.
The intent of carrying out NRC in Assam has been to identify all illegal immigrants who have allegedly been residing there, disenfranchise them at the first instance followed by remaining steps that would lead to the ultimate objective of deportation. From the point of view of nationalism as commonly perceived, there can never be any doubt about the sanctity of the purpose, as illegal immigrants, irrespective of their volume and religious affiliation must have no place in the country. But the reactions that have emanated post-publication of Assam NRC, somehow points out that there is little place for neutrality in the affair as there is now a rising uproar to reject this final list even as it’s been estimated that as much as 14 lakhs from the total 19 lakhs left-outs are from majority (read Hindu) community. It’s thus not difficult to infer that religion is the only chosen yardstick for determination of status of an immigrant. Coming to the proposed pan-Indian exercise, if the crucial cut-off year-1951 unlike Assam’s 1971 or anything else is still a matter of conjecture, questions about its workability is bound to arise. If in a small state like Assam it has not been desirably glitch-free, how about the larger states and how can it be guaranteed that there will be no manipulation of documents, the ‘passports’ for proving oneself as a genuine Indian. The other aspect that are sure to raise eyebrows is about the manner in which a national exercise of this gargantuan magnitude can be carried out without taking into confidence the non-BJP ruled states which actually makes more than 55% of population. Although there are now hard and fast efforts to establish the narrative that there is no relationship between CAB & NRC, that they are complementary to each other is beyond doubt. For minorities minus Muslims, if NRC hurdle is a failure, CAB is there, ready to give the stamp of a true Bharatbasi.
It seems, for the time being, people will have no time to question about the much necessary matters like economic slowdown or fading plurality or any such alike. But sure, it’s time to brace up for a prolonged state of consternation. 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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