With the final draft of the Assam’s National Registry of Citizens (NRC) rolled out a day before, leading to a nationwide debate over the exclusion of over four million people, Bangladesh on Tuesday said that linking illegal migrants with the country was incorrect, reported ANI.
In a phone interview to ANI from Dhaka, Information and Broadcasting Minister of Bangladesh Hasanul Haq Inu said, “Everyone knows it is a century-old ethnic conflict in the state of Assam. In the last 48 years, no Indian government has raised the issue of illegal immigration with Bangladesh; the situation needs to be dealt by the Modi government in New Delhi, which is capable of handling it judiciously. It has no relation to Bangladesh.”
When asked whether Bangladesh is amenable to take back the illegal immigrants residing in India, Hasanul Haq said, “As of now, India has not shared NRC findings with us and has not raised the issue. Until they do so, we will not speak. You can’t link every Bengali speaking person to Bangladesh.”
A political squabble has erupted ever since the final draft of Assam’s NRC was published on Monday. The draft included the names of nearly 2.89 crore individuals out of the 3.29 crore applicants, leaving out more than 40 lakh applicants.
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday tore into the government over the final draft of the NRC excluding 40 lakh applicants, warning that the move will lead to “civil war and bloodbath”. She accused the BJP of trying to drive out people for political reasons. A complaint has now been registered against CM Banerjee for her “civil war” comment.
The chief of the ruling BJP, Amit Shah, hit back at Mamta for her remarks saying he was “stunned” and that he demanded to know, “What about the rights of Indians?” Condemning her allegations Amit Shah demanded that “She should clarify what kind of civil war she is talking about”.
He alleged that Banerjee saw a “vote bank” in illegal immigrants while the BJP was looking at the security of the country and rights of its citizens. “The BJP is committed to the national security and safety of its citizens. This is our top priority. All other parties should clear their stand,” he said.
He also charged the Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of not showing the courage to identify and deport illegal immigrants from Assam as per an accord which was signed by erstwhile Prime Minister, late Rajiv Gandhi in 1985.