It was just two ago that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan that there had been no discussion about the NRC ever since his government had come to power. Soon enough, in an interview with the ANI, Home Minister Amit Shah who has been talking about a nationwide NRC across rallies in the country went on to say that the PM was indeed right and there really had been no discussion in his government on the NRC.
Union Home Minster Amit Shah told the ANI, “ There is no need to debate this(pan-India NRC)as there is no discussion on it right now, PM Modi was right, there is no discussion on it yet either in the Cabinet or Parliament.”
It is widely acknowledged that contrary to the statements about the NRC not being talked about or discussed so far, Union Home Minister has spoken about a nation-wide NRC on many occasions.
In this interview, which was aired after the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to update the National Population Register, Shah admitted to the fact that there indeed had been a communication gap from the government’s side about the Citizenship (Amendment)Act. Amit Shah said, “There may be a lack of communication, I have no problem in accepting that. But you can watch my speech in the Parliament, I have clearly mentioned that the National Population Register would not affect anyone’s citizenship.”
The National Population Register (NPR) would require people living in India to declare their date of birth along with their place of birth, along with similar information for their parents. People would be required to furnish information on 21 points. While giving clarification over the issue of detention centres that are apparently being constructed in several states, Home Minister Amit Shah said, “There is no connection between the detention centre and the NRC or CAA. The centres have been there for years and are for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this.” He also went on to make an additional point that no new detention centres had been made so far under the Modi regime.
Commenting upon the violence that has broken out across several states during the anti-CAA protests, Shah said that it was sad and that the BJP government had issued several appeals to the peace to maintain peace during their agitations and added that such protest calls were being given by the Opposition parties.
Amit Shah also hit out at AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and said, “If we say that the sun rises from the east then Owaisi ji will say no it rises from the west, he always opposed our stand. Still, I again assure him that CAA has nothing to do with the NRC.”
Commenting on the political opposition shown to the CAA and NRC by Kerala and West Bengal, Amit Shah said, “ I humbly appeal to both the Chief Ministers again that do not take such a step and please review your decisions, don’t keep the poor out of development programs just for your politics.”
