BJP depriving citizens with NRC: Assam ex-CM

The BJP has been depriving genuine Indian citizens in the name of National Register of Citizens (NRC), former chief minister of Assam and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi said here on Monday. He was in Kolkata to attend a conference.

"They (BJP) are depriving Indian citizens. Out of the 40 lakh people left out of the NRC, more than 30 lakh are Hindus and vast majority are Bengalis," said Gogoi.

He also accused the BJP of playing a divisive role with regard to Hindus, Muslims, Assamese and Bengalis.

The former chief minister also claimed that if the Congress can come back to Assam, then they will ensure that as per the Assam Accord, the names of every genuine Indian citizen will be included in the NRC.

"If we come to power in Assam, we will ensure that as per the Assam Accord, the name of every genuine Indian citizens will be included in the NRC," said Gogoi.

Pointing out that that the names of several persons who featured in the voter list has been left out of the NRC, Gogoi argued that if one's name is in the voter list, that is a proof of his or her Indian citizenship.

Noted rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who also attended the conference, said a "deliberate" divisive and communal twist has been given to the NRC exercise in Assam since 2014.