DNA Edit: Listless in Assam

The mammoth exercise, undertaken by the National Register of Citizens in Assam, throws up ominous results. The recently released first draft has excluded 1.4 crore people, some of whom are distinguished political leaders and Lok Sabha MPs. The fear that a huge section of the population runs the risk of being alienated seems credible at this point. The situation is somewhat tense now. One person has allegedly committed suicide when he couldn’t find his name on the list. Assam shares a porous border with Bangladesh whose citizens have over the years made the state its home.

Large-scale illegal immigration, according to experts, has skewed the state’s demographics, giving rise to communal tension and violent struggle for resources. But Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s government shouldn’t indulge in a communal witch-hunt while tracking down illegal settlers. The state machinery has to be fair in its appraisal when the final results come out by the year-end. The criterion for citizenship seems reasonable: Those who entered the state after March 1971 will be considered illegal. Then Sonowal should make good on his promise that not a single genuine Indian citizen would be excluded.

The first draft while including Ulfa (Independent) chief Paresh Baruah, a fugitive, and his family, has skipped AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal who is an MP and one of the richest businessmen in the state. The deportation of illegal migrants, after the final updation, will require deft handling from both sides of the border. The concerns of genuine Assamese should be addressed, but any form of high-handedness could lead to communal riots. Assam has seen a marked increase in identity politics – on religion and ethnic lines – in recent years. During and after this census, the state government should ensure that communal harmony is restored in Assam.