(The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.) The 19.06 lakh persons who were excluded from the National Register of Citizens list in Assam continue to be in limbo amid the flood and the pandemic. Those who reportedly couldn't provide documentary proof that they were residents of Assam before March 24, 1971 were to be issued rejection slips in March this year. But the process has ground to a halt, to the chagrin of most parties involved. The response from the government machinery is that the process cannot be restarted till the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control. The Congress's allegation is that the BJP at the Centre is drawing out the process to keep the issue relevant during the Assembly election in 2021. The BJP is waiting for the Supreme Court to order a reverification that may prove its allegation that illegal migrants are predominantly Muslims -- which is not reflected in the current final list. The process could get further muddled since the terms of those appointed to handle the appeals process in the Foreigner Tribunals are expiring, and are unlikely to be renewed. The confusion around a process that caused severe anxiety for millions of people, and the allegations that it is being drawn out to suit political expediencies, is what makes this story important. |
Post a Comment