Addressing the media on Monday July 30 following Assam’s final draft list of eligible citizens, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that Bengalis living in Assam were targeted in the “divide and rule game plan.”
Expressing her concern over the 40 lakh applicants who were denied spot on the list of eligible citizens under NRC final draft report, Mamata slammed the saffron group – Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.
“There were people who have Aadhaar cards and passports but still their names are not in the draft list. Names of people were removed on the basis of surnames also. Is the Government trying to do forceful eviction?”
Targeting the Modi-led BJP, CM Mamata raised question to Home Minister Rajnath Singh saying, “BJP government at Centre thinks only for vote politics? Humanity and people will be isolate? Why was government silent when the matter was raised in court? I appeal to Home Minister Rajnath Singh to not do politics over the matter. Those who have been excluded are neither Hindus nor Muslims, they are Bengalis.”
Also read: Assam final NRC draft released, over 40 lakh applicants left out
Speaking further in the matter, Mamata added “There are so many people there in the jail, including women. Please consider this case on humanitarian grounds. Does central government have any rehabilitation package for them? Divide and rule policy will finish the country. This government will never spoke to us (Bengal and Bangladesh). Assam people are helpless and cannot connect with us also. This is not only Bengali speaking people, of course. There are so many Biharis. Will they not protest if they are tortured? I cannot contact Bangladesh as it is an external affairs situation and is not my matter. But I will raise the issue, which Bangladesh will also oppose. This is a wrong decision and will affect the entire country — all caste, creed and community.”
The entire matter came under fire after Assam released its NRC final draft list on Monday, 30 July, in which, out of 3,29,91,385 applicants 2,89,83,677 were found eligible while over 40 lakh were left out of the list.
The final NRC list is scheduled to be announced in December 2018, the authorities addressing the Press Conference, said.
