The National Register of Citizens (NRC), a contentious issue that ignited widespread protests in India over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in late 2019, may soon resurface in political discussions. Over five years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the government had not discussed the implementation of NRC after returning to power that year. This statement, made during a public meeting in Delhi on December 22, 2019, was reaffirmed on multiple occasions by government officials. Since then, the NRC issue seemed to be sidelined, with little attention given to its potential revival.
However, this issue is now expected to make a comeback, particularly at the annual meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS). The ABPS is the highest decision-making body within the RSS, and its meeting this year is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from March 21 to 23. Sources close to the organization have indicated that the NRC is likely to be one of the main topics on the agenda. The RSS may deliberate on the national implementation of NRC and discuss how it could be carried out across various states in India.
The NRC was initially proposed to create a register that would identify illegal immigrants, especially in states with significant border population concerns, such as Assam. Its implementation sparked fear among many communities, leading to nationwide protests, particularly in states with large Muslim populations. The protests were largely driven by concerns that the NRC would disproportionately target minority groups, while the CAA, passed in December 2019, would provide a path to citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries. Critics argued that both measures discriminated against Muslims, violating India’s secular constitution.
Despite the government’s assurances that the NRC was not on the agenda, the issue has been kept alive through various political discussions, with some factions calling for its nationwide implementation. The RSS, with its strong ideological stance, has consistently advocated for the NRC, arguing that it would help identify illegal immigrants and secure the country’s borders.
As the ABPS gears up for its meeting, political observers will closely watch the discussions surrounding NRC. Should the RSS decide to push for its implementation, it could reignite debates about citizenship and immigration laws in India, especially in the lead-up to the general elections in 2024. With the country still grappling with the fallout of the CAA protests, the return of the NRC debate could have far-reaching implications for India’s political landscape.
