Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday suggested that the exercise of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) should be implemented across the country.

Sonowal's comments came at a seminar 'NRC: Defending the Borders, Securing the Culture' organised by think-tank 'Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini' in the national capital and which was also attended by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav among others.

"The NRC should be implemented in all states. This is a document which can protect all Indians. Those who will be excluded from the NRC in Assam can go to other states. So we will have to take a strong step," Sonowal said.

Assam has undergone a fresh round of NRC following a Supreme Court order. The final list does not carry the names of 40 lakh people and it had triggered concerns over their future even as the government said they have enough opportunity to clear their names.

Madhav said people excluded from the final list of Assam National Register of Citizens would be de-franchised and deported to their country. He said the NRC will ensure the detection of all illegal immigrants.

The next step will be the deletion of names of illegal immigrants from voters list and deprive them of all government benefits. The next stage will be deportation, he added.

Madhav said no country in the world tolerates illegal immigrants but India has become a "dharamshala" for illegal immigrants due to vote bank consideration.