Civil society organizations and individuals have demanded the Assam government to keep on hold the hearing for claims and objections of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update exercise from Tuesday to Thursday due to Eid.
With the date for publication of final NRC is nearing in, the NRC authorities have intensified the claims and objection and other formalities so that the NRC list could be published right on time—no later than July 31, 2019.
“Hundreds of people in different districts of Assam are being summoned by the NRC officials every day. Most of these people are Muslims and they are having tough time for last one month appearing in the hearing organized by the NRC officials. People are summoned even to distant places to appear in the hearing,” said activist Ashraful Hussain from Barpeta.
Hussain said that most of these people are genuine Indian citizens whose name appeared in the draft NRC published by the Assam government last year.
“And yet they are being summoned as some people have filed objections against inclusion of their names in the NRC. While the process is on, we urge the government of Assam to keep on hold the hearing for three days starting tomorrow as there will be less movement of vehicles due to Eid Ul Fitr, which is likely to be celebrated on Wednesday,” said Hussain.
According some of the Islamic clerics in Assam, the holy month of Ramadan is over, the full moon is likely to be sighted on Tuesday following which, Eid Ul Fitre will be celebrated on Wednesday across the country.
“The people, mostly people from the weaker financial background are having a tough time. They are appearing the hearing spending lots of money and fasting on the holy month of Ramadan,” he said.
Hussain said as Eid is likely to be celebrated on Wednesday, there will be less vehicles on the roads from Tuesday.
“So if the government keeps on hold the hearing for three days, it would be helpful for the poor Muslims,” he added.