Kolkata: Intellectuals from Bengal on Friday raised questions on the procedure of publication of the final draft of Assam's National Register of Citizens (NRC) omitting the names of around 40 lakh people.
The issue has already triggered a political slugfest across the country with many from Bengal standing by those whose names did not figure in the draft. Now, Bengal's intellectuals have criticised the method by calling it "unscientific". They also assured that a rally would be organised in the city as a token of protest and they may also visit Assam to further strengthen their movement.
During a press conference in the city, the prominent intellectuals have sent across the message that Bengal will stand by those whose names were "illegally omitted" in the final draft. The Bengal intelligentsia trained their guns at the Narendra Modi government for "dividing people" on the basis of religion.
"A democratically elected government at the Centre has been acting like a fascist. A country like India where so many religions co-exist cannot be divided on the basis of language, religion or caste. The family members of those who have passports, voter cards and other documents cannot be driven out of the country in this manner attaching a tag of an illegal intruder," artist Subhaprasanna Bhattacharjee.
Economist Abhirup Sarkar pointed out a pertinent issue where he discussed that these 40 lakh people out of a total of 3 crore in Assam cannot be illegal intruders. If what Centre is claiming is true, then what was the role of Central agencies including the BSF to check the illegal infiltration of such a huge number?
"Around 13 percent of the total population cannot be illegal intruders. The method which was followed was full of flaws. Many people, particularly the poor do not have birth certificates, Madhyamik certificates or other documents that are mentioned in the draft," Sarkar said.
Poet Subodh Sarkar asked why the Centre has issued voter cards, Aadhar cards to those whose relatives have been omitted from the list. The Modi government was voted into power by those who have been declared as
"illegal citizens".
"We are witnessing a difficult time. The Modi government has been doing worse than what Hitler did. The people whose family members are in various professions cannot be attributed a tag of "illegal intruders". We, the Bengalis, will not tolerate this and fight for them."
Theatre personality Bibhash Chakraborty demanded that the Centre must clarify on what basis the names of these 40 lakh people have been
omitted.
"It is very unfortunate to prove themselves as Indians who have been living in this country for a long time," Chakraborty mentioned.
Artist Subhaprasanna observed that similar to the Centre's decision in regard to demonetization, this NRC will also prove to be a disaster.