Why Has This Taken So Long?

The Assam NRC process was highly controversial and politically sensitive from the start. The exercise, which cost over ₹1,600 crore and took several years to complete, was meant to identify illegal immigrants while protecting genuine Indian citizens. However, its implementation faced numerous challenges, including allegations of bias, technical errors, and the exclusion of genuine citizens.

After the final list was published in 2019, the process essentially stalled. No identity cards were issued to those included, and no appeals mechanism was established for those excluded. This has left approximately 19 lakh people who were excluded from the NRC without any legal recourse, while those included remain without formal documentation of their status.

The Human Impact

The six-year delay has had severe consequences for vulnerable communities in Assam. Families live in fear of being labeled as illegal immigrants despite having their names in the NRC. They face difficulties in accessing healthcare, education, employment, and other basic services. The lack of identity cards means they cannot definitively prove their citizenship status when questioned.

For those excluded from the NRC, the situation is even more dire. Without an appeals process, they have no way to challenge their exclusion, even if it was based on errors or missing documents. Many genuine Indian citizens may have been wrongly excluded, and they deserve a fair opportunity to prove their citizenship.