NRC Will Be 100 Times Worse, Has Caused Immense Trouble to Minorities, Migrants: AIMIM Chief Owaisi

Owaisi Warns Against Nationwide NRC

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday criticised the proposed nationwide implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying the exercise could be “100 times worse” than the difficulties already witnessed in Assam.

Owaisi made the remarks in a post on X, where he alleged that the NRC process had already caused immense hardship to minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and migrants.

His comments came amid renewed political discussion over the NRC following recent remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Concerns Over Documentation

Owaisi questioned how ordinary citizens would be able to prove their citizenship if a nationwide NRC were implemented.

He argued that the exercise would require people to stand in queues and produce documents establishing their citizenship. He particularly raised concerns about economically vulnerable citizens who may not have access to old or sufficient documentation.

Owaisi also referred to the large number of people dependent on government ration support and questioned how such citizens would obtain the documents required for a citizenship verification process.

Owaisi Refers to Assam NRC Experience

The AIMIM chief cited the NRC exercise in Assam as an example of what he described as the difficulties associated with citizenship verification.

According to Owaisi, the Assam experience demonstrated the potential problems that could arise when large sections of the population are asked to establish their citizenship through documentary evidence.

He said these concerns would become significantly larger if a similar exercise were conducted across the country.

Minorities, SC/STs and Migrants Among Concerns

Owaisi specifically highlighted minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and migrants while raising concerns about the impact of NRC-related documentation requirements.

He argued that vulnerable communities could face greater difficulties if they are unable to produce the required records.

These remarks form part of Owaisi's broader criticism of the government's approach to citizenship verification and related policies.

Link to Special Intensive Revision

Owaisi also connected his criticism of NRC with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He alleged that ordinary people were being required to attend hearings and provide documents during the revision process. According to him, such requirements could create significant hardship for citizens who have difficulty accessing documentation.

Owaisi described the situation as a serious concern and warned that a nationwide NRC could magnify these challenges.

Owaisi Criticises Amit Shah

The AIMIM chief also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the NRC issue.

Owaisi linked the current debate to the political controversy surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC in 2019. He argued that statements made during that period contributed to the anti-CAA/NRC protests.

Owaisi also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier statement that there were no plans at that time for a nationwide NRC.

Amit Shah's Recent Remarks on NRC

The latest controversy follows Amit Shah's statement that the Centre was discussing the implementation of the NRC in Manipur.

When asked whether the 1951 census would be used as the baseline for the exercise in Manipur, Shah said discussions were being held with allies and political parties in the state.

He said the government would communicate its decision once the discussions were complete.

NRC Debate Gains Political Momentum

The renewed discussion over the NRC comes alongside other major political issues, including the Uniform Civil Code and electoral-roll revision.

The BJP-led government has defended citizenship-related measures as part of its broader policy agenda, while opposition leaders such as Owaisi have raised concerns about their potential impact on vulnerable communities.

The disagreement highlights the continuing political divide over citizenship verification, documentation requirements and the relationship between national security and individual rights.

Political Debate Over NRC Continues

Owaisi's latest remarks are likely to add to the ongoing political debate over whether and how the NRC should be implemented.

Supporters of an NRC have argued that a citizenship register can help identify undocumented migrants, while critics have raised concerns about documentation gaps and the possibility of genuine citizens facing difficulties during verification.

Any nationwide implementation would therefore involve significant administrative, legal and political considerations.

What Happens Next

The immediate focus is expected to remain on the government's discussions regarding NRC implementation in Manipur and the broader debate over a possible nationwide exercise.

Further announcements from the Centre and political parties could provide greater clarity on the scope, methodology and timeline of any future NRC process.

For now, Owaisi has strongly opposed the proposal, warning that its impact could be far greater than the difficulties he says were experienced during the Assam NRC process.

Conclusion

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has warned that a nationwide NRC could be “100 times worse”, citing what he described as immense difficulties faced by minorities, SC/ST communities and migrants during citizenship-related exercises.

His comments come amid renewed discussion over NRC implementation, particularly in Manipur, following Amit Shah's recent remarks. While the government and its supporters have presented citizenship verification as an important policy issue, opposition leaders continue to raise concerns about documentation, inclusion and the potential impact on vulnerable citizens.