Rebut insinuations that this isn't fair exercise: Prateek Hajela

Barely a few days for the final draft to be out, and there's fear and apprehension among the Muslims in the state that they will be left out. The list, which will be out on Monday, July 30, is a draft list and is not final. 

There will be ample provisions for people to file an appeal, where they can point at omissions and additions. While on the one hand, anyone can point at their names being left out of the list, there is also a provision for anyone to object to the inclusion of someone else — they suspect of being a foreigner. It is only after the final claim has been disposed, will the final NRC be released.

"We will hear out every grievance, and in the past, too, we chose to engage with people. In 2017, we went from door to door and for months, till June this year, we asked them to air their grievances in our centres. We will give people another opportunity to be heard and the question of being left out does not arise. My process is not over yet. And, even when names are left from the NRC, there is a provision to go to a higher judicial appeal," says Prateek Hajela, co-ordinator, National Register of Citizens.

What happens to the people whose names will not be in the NRC? There is bound to be ramifications in law and order.

It is a question that has terrified the home ministry, and the Centre has unequivocally made it clear that no one will be deported or kept under detention. This is not supposed to be draconian. As for the law and order issue, I will be unable to comment. My duty, as appointed by the Supreme Court, is to ensure the NRC updation process is carried out smoothly. I rebut insinuations that this is not a fair exercise.

Is it true that there are some names that will not be in the final draft? Can we put a number to that?

It is a legal process. So, those who have not produced papers, their names won't be there. Numbers lead to apprehension and those who want to create mischief will play up on these figures. The numbers that are now out in public are mere speculations. Redressals will happen in case someone's name is not there.

NO ROOM FOR ERROR

While on one hand, anyone can point at their names being left out of the list, there is also provision for anyone to object to the inclusion of someone else — they suspect of being foreigner