Issue of illegal migrants
The issue of illegal immigration has been a point of intense debate globally, and more so in India as it has been lingering here for a long.
The implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been widely debated, with arguments for and against it, leading to political polarization.
Proponents argue that it is necessary to identify illegal immigrants, particularly in the context of Bangladeshis crossing into India and obtaining citizenship as our verification processes are lax. Added to this is the detection of even Pakistanis registered as Indian nationals.
On the other hand, critics express concerns about its practical implications, e.g., the potential for marginalized groups to be disproportionately affected due to difficulties in proving their citizenship.
With the lack of absolute majority for BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and with NDA allies unwilling to support NRC, the issue appears to have reached a stalemate.
But the need for separating the citizens from illegal immigrants, with/ without Indian citizenship, hasn’t gone away.
In all the meanwhile, till the issue is resolved, the magnitude of the problem will only keep mounting.
With 1.4 billion people to be catered to from its limited resources and a delicate demographic balance, India faces a complex challenge.
Given the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh and the economic disparity between the two nations, there is strong migration pressure. However, the humanitarian and legal concerns raised by the opposition must also be addressed constructively.
Towards this end, I propose an alternative solution: the creation of a voluntary National Re-verified Register of Citizens (NRRC). This mechanism could provide a balanced approach to the challenges posed by illegal immigration while preserving the rights of legitimate citizens, though the problem will be solved only partially.
The objections to NRC
- The burden of proof: One of the most significant criticisms of the NRC is that it places the onus of proving citizenship on individuals, many of whom may lack the necessary documents due to displacement, illiteracy, and bureaucratic hurdles. This could lead to the exclusion of legitimate citizens, particularly those from economically weaker sections, who may struggle to produce acceptable proof.
- Humanitarian concerns: The NRC, as seen in Assam, has led to large-scale exclusion, creating an environment of fear and insecurity. Those left out of the list face would legal limbo, potential detention, or statelessness, making it a humanitarian issue on a massive scale.
- Political and social ramifications: Given the political climate, NRC has been seen as a tool that can be weaponized against specific communities, leading to social unrest and further polarizing the nation.
My suggestion is to introduce NRRC as an inclusive and balanced solution.
The National Re-verified Register of Citizens (NRRC) aims to address these challenges partially by providing a more flexible and less coercive approach to the problem of illegal immigration. NRRC would serve as an optional Register, allowing citizens to voluntarily have their citizenship status re-verified and confirmed through a rigorous process (SOP) to be created and implemented by the government. The government can even take its own time (say 6 months) to re-verify every case after application.
- Voluntary and non-coercive: Unlike NRC, participation in the NRRC process would be voluntary. Citizens who wish to have unassailable proof of their citizenship can opt for this process, knowing that it would provide a final and uncontestable confirmation, for themselves and their legal descendants.
- Government support for verification: The government could offer support to help citizens gather the necessary documentation. Special provisions could be made for vulnerable groups, ensuring that their lack of resources does not exclude them from being re-verified.
- Final and unchallenged status: Once a citizen has been re-verified and included in the NRRC, their status (and their legal descendants’) cannot be challenged in the future, irrespective of changes in political or legal circumstances.
- No negative implications for non-participants: Importantly, not being on the NRRC list would not imply non-citizenship. Those who do not opt for re-verification would continue to be treated as citizens at present. Their status would continue to remain open to challenge if disputes arise under the current legal system, as at present. So, NRRC is a positive reinforcement mechanism, not a punitive one.
- Reducing future litigation and uncertainty: This will help reduce the volume of potential cases challenging citizenship to be handled by the Government and the legal system. Over time, it is hoped that the size of the Register will keep increasing to very high numbers (I hope 80% of the population or more), and the volume of doubtful cases will keep coming down. Newborn babies should be automatically re-verified if their parents are re-verified and added to the list.
Addressing objections to NRRC
- “It May Lead to a Two-Tier Citizenship System“: A common concern is that NRRC could create a perception of two classes of citizens: those re-verified and those not. This can be mitigated by ensuring that the process is purely optional and does not confer any additional rights or benefits apart from the finality of citizenship status.
- “The Vulnerable Could Still Be Left Out“: To counter this, NRRC should have robust outreach programs and partnerships with civil society organizations to help marginalized communities participate without undue burden.
- “It Does Not Solve the Problem of Illegal Immigration“: NRRC is not meant to replace existing legal frameworks but to complement them. By creating a verified category of citizens, it strengthens the system’s ability to focus resources on identifying and addressing actual cases of illegal immigration.
Implementation strategy
- Phased rollout: NRRC should be introduced in phases, starting with states facing the highest immigration pressure, such as Assam and West Bengal. Lessons learned from these states can be used to fine-tune the process before a nationwide rollout.
- Use of technology for verification: Advanced biometric systems, digital records, and AI-assisted verification tools can be used to streamline the process and reduce errors. This is important. Creating the SOP and ensuring that SOP is duly adhered to is essential for its success. This would ensure that NRRC is more accurate and less prone to bureaucratic delays.
- Public awareness campaign: An extensive campaign would be needed to educate citizens about NRRC, its benefits, and the process involved. Transparency and clarity would be essential to gaining public trust.
The issue of illegal immigration cannot be ignored, nor can it be addressed properly in a polarized atmosphere. The National Re-verified Register of Citizens (NRRC) offers a balanced, non-coercive alternative to the NRC. It addresses national security concerns while respecting the rights and dignity of all citizens. By providing a pathway for citizens to obtain final, unassailable proof of their citizenship, NRRC would reduce legal uncertainties, focus resources on genuine cases of illegal immigration, and promote social harmony.
NRRC could be a step towards achieving a balanced solution that serves both the national interests and humanitarian concerns.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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