#AssamNRC: Who is truly Indian?
As controversial registry could leave 4 million people in India stateless, we ask why.
The citizenship of four million people in India’s Assam region is in limbo after their names were left off a recent draft of the country’s National Register of Citizens (NRC). The final list will be announced in December.
Supporters of the registry say it will help identify illegal immigrants who cross India’s porous border with Bangladesh. But opponents say the list is politically motivated and a thinly-veiled attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to maintain a Hindu majority in the state. Muslims make up one-third of Assam’s population.
The list has sparked fears of mass deportations and left many questioning what constitutes citizenship.
On this episode of The Stream we’ll dive into the controversy with a panel of experts.
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Rana Ayyub, @RanaAyyub
Journalist and writer
Samujjal Bhattacharya
Chief Advisor and Spokesperson for the All Assam Students Union
Amlan Das, @iamamlan
Assamese Resident and Blogger
Pawan Khera, @Pawankhera
Spokesman, Indian National Congress Party
Read more:
What’s next for the 4 million stripped of citizenship in India? – Al Jazeera English
I’m Assamese and here’s why NRC is critical to our identity – The Quint
What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts in the comments below.