Assam: NRC and CAA

Assam Accord:

=> The Assam accord was signed between the Central government and representatives from Assam on 15th August 1985.

=> The government agreed to fulfill both demands-

• Weed out illegal migrants
• Conserve Assamese culture

Both demands fulfilled:

=> Clause 6 of Assam Accord-

Clause 6 reads: “Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.”

Citizenship Amendment Act 1985-

=> It inserted Section 6A to the original Citizenship Act of 1955.

=> Section 6A- All those persons who came to Assam on or after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971 from Bangladesh are residents of Assam, and shall register themselves as Citizen of India”

=> Others who came after 24 March 1971, automatically became illegal migrants.

NRC update process:

=> Those who came after 24th March 1971 became illegal migrants.

=> But no attempt was made to identify and deport illegal migrants out of Assam as it was promised in Assam Accord.

=> So the objective of Assam movement remained unfulfilled.

=> Finally in 2013 the SC directed the Central government to fulfill the promise made in the Assam Accord- identify and deport illegal migrants.

=> NRC update process started in 2015 under supervision of the SC.

=> On 31st August 2019, the government released data of updated NRC-

• About 3.1 cr residents of Assam are citizen of India.
• While 19 Lakhs were found illegal migrants.

CAA and NRC

=> Rather than fulfilling the promise of Assam Accord of deporting illegal migrants out of India, the government brought CAA that gives Citizenship rights to many illegal immigrants.

Outcome:

1. The significance of Assam accord is diminished.

2. Entire NRC update process become meaningless to a great extent.

=> Thus there was huge protest in Assam after passage of CAB.