SC upholds Section 6A: Assam Public Works welcomes verdict, calls for NRC re-verification

In response to the Supreme Court's recent judgment upholding Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, Assam Public Works (APW) Chairman Abhijeet Sarma welcomed the decision but raised critical concerns regarding the future of Assam and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Sarma, in a statement, hailed the five-judge bench's ruling as a historic moment, marking a crucial chapter in Assam's history. He pointed out that the case which dates back to the 1971 influx, had finally reached a conclusion, closing the door on further debate. "Future generations will find relief from this long-standing issue," Sarma said. However, he expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding Assam’s future and its people, particularly regarding the NRC's accuracy.

The APW Chairman emphasized that the judgment had once again brought the relevance of the NRC to the forefront. "We are hopeful this decision will revive the dormant NRC process," Sarma stated, further calling for the preparation of a new NRC with 100% re-verification to ensure its accuracy.

He urged both the Assam and Central Governments to abandon their "two-faced stance" on the issue and prove their commitment by filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court to support the re-verification process. According to Sarma, this step is crucial to securing a foolproof NRC and ensuring the protection of Assam’s demographic integrity.

The NRC process, which was intended to identify legitimate citizens and curb illegal immigration, has been a contentious issue in Assam. The demand for re-verification of the NRC list has been growing, with allegations that it contains inaccuracies and leaves out many genuine citizens.