Significance of national register for citizen’s at national level

Significance of national register for citizen’s at national level

The NRC is seen as a major instrument for security and peace of Assam and other north-eastern states. The purpose of this register is to identify Indian citizens living in Assam, leading to the identification of illegal migrants. The National Register for Citizen (NRC) tries to identify all genuine Indian citizen's in Assam and other northeastern states. The NRC process was started as per the Supreme Court order on foreigners' tribunals and illegal migration from Bangladesh, which have been going on for many years from every political party. Now the recent question is, should be an NRC at national level.

Benefit of NRC being implemented at national level:

Ensure People’s Right: The first benefit of a National Register of Citizens is that it will clear the number of illegal migrants in Assam. This will distinguish those who are Indian citizens destroying the base of illegal migration from outside and getting voting rights by forces other than our government. That way people’s rights can be ensured and they can get the benefits and facilities that they deserve to get. It will stop further illegal migration as no one will give shelter to such people if there is a list that can easily prove they're being an outsider to India.

Better policy measures and implementation: In India, the implementation of any policy is riddled with corruption and leakages at the ground level. It is found in every corner of the country. NRC will contain this menace to a large extent once NRC becomes fully operational. This will weed out fake beneficiaries and facilitate targeted implementation of policies which in turn will improve the quality of life of people especially tribal people and other marginalized communities.

Enhance internal security: Enhancing internal security is the topmost concern for the citizens of any nation. The recent immigrants have been a major contributor. Thus, it can be concluded that, there is an urgent requirement for a better monitoring mechanism at our national borders as well as the elimination of fake nationals.

Prevent future illegal migration: The publication of the draft NRC also makes it clear to all that those who are staying in Assam without valid documentation, or have fraudulent documentation, will be detected through the process. Hence there is no future benefit/reward for illegal migrants to remain in Assam.

Reduce fake voting: Fake voting is a major concern in almost all elections. This has been proved time and again by the voter identity cards recovered from many of the arrested accused in different cases relating to elections. Illegal migrants will find it difficult to procure Indian identity documents. Thus cases of vote for money through fake identities will reduce as persons whose names are not in list will loose voting rights. Thus it will strengthen our electoral process.

Issues related to National Register of Citizens being implemented at national level:

Law and order problem: The NRC exercise on the other hand may lead to serious law and order problem in the country. This is because a large number of Muslims staying illegally in India will be declared as stateless persons or foreigners by the NRC which will have far-reaching consequences for them.

Loss of Right to Vote: Perhaps the most important right in a democracy is the Right to vote.  People excluded from NRC would be barred from voting. Thus loosing right to vote.

Fake Cases: There have been several cases of people having made fake official identity cards such as Aadhaar, PAN card, ration card and even voter’s identity card. This will legalise their illegal migration.

Loss of Properties: People excluded from NRC are not supposed to own land. It means that it will be harder to find a house and they might have to depend on relatives for shelter.

Loss of Privacy: Once a person is included in NRC, his/her information gets included in electoral rolls and that would be a matter of public record. Therefore all the details will be accessible not only to the person but also to everyone else. This compromises the privacy.

Judicial burden will increase: In addition, a lot of litigation will be generated. Since most of the Assam cases and some other cases are pending for the last ten years in the subordinate judiciary and many more years in the superior judiciary. There will be a huge burden on the subordinate judiciary to decide such cases. If these two issues are not dealt with then it will further burden the subordinate judiciary system.