NRC next, says BJP’s Bengali booklet on CAA

On the last page of the 23-page booklet, a question reads: “Will it be NRC after this? How much it is needed? And if there is NRC, will Hindus have to go to detention centres like in Assam?” The answer reads: “Yes, after this NRC will be implemented.

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West Bengal BJP’s booklet on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) (PTI)

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the his government has not even discussed National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Bengali version of BJP’s booklet on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that was launched in Kolkata on Sunday as part of the party’s nationwide campaign to “dispel misinformation” about the new law mentions that the citizen’s register NRC will be implemented after this.

The Hindi version of the booklet, however, does not mention anything on NRC.

On the last page of the 23-page booklet, a question reads: “Will it be NRC after this? How much it is needed? And if there is NRC, will Hindus have to go to detention centres like in Assam?” The answer reads: “Yes, after this NRC will be implemented. At least the central government’s intention looks like that. Before that, we would like to clearly mention that no Hindus will have to go to detention centre due to NRC. Those 11 lakh Hindus who are in detention centres in Assam are staying there because of the Foreigners Act.”

Explained: What NRC+CAA means to you

The booklet then goes on to explain that the NRC was implemented in Assam as per the orders of the Supreme Court, and the Foreigners Act was passed by the then Congress government in the state. “The BJP government in Assam did not bring the NRC. Rather, it has decided to move court against the NRC,” the booklet says.

It says that the Hindus lodged in detention centres in Assam would be released after the CAA is implemented. “It is heard that there are around two crore infiltrators in Assam and West Bengal. It is needed to enlist these infiltrators as D-voters. This only speaks volumes about the problem of infiltration in the country. That is why a countrywide NRC is needed,” the booklet says.

When asked why the Hindi version in the same booklet has no such mention of NRC, Sayantan Basu, general secretary in the Bengal unit of BJP, replied, “This booklet in Bengali is not at all the translation of Hindi. Here in Bengal, there has been a lot of confusion over the CAA and NRC. Therefore, the NRC point has been given in the Bengali version of the booklet and it is written there that implementation of NRC is the Central government’s prerogative”.

At a rally in New Delhi on December 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that there has been no discussion on implementing NRC in the country as he clarified that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would not affect Muslims who have been living in the country for generations. Modi had blamed the Congress, other Opposition parties for creating fear in the minds of people.

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Reacting to BJP’s claims on NRC in the booklet, the Trinamool Congress said that “truth has come out”. “

“The cat is now out of the bag. The truth of the BJP has come out. We have been saying that the Prime Minister and the Union ministers have been trying to confuse the people by making contradictory statements on NRC. The people of this state and the country will give them a befitting reply,” TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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