Religious bias is suspected in an Indian government move that could result in millions of people who migrated from Bangladesh five decades ago losing their citizenship rights.
India’s National Register of Citizens (NCR) on July 30 published a list accepting as Indian citizens those who migrated from neighbouring Bangladesh before March 25, 1971, a day before the Muslim nation declared independence.
The list prepared for people living in Assam State bordering Bangladesh left at least four million people uncounted, making them stateless.
“The issue is of international importance as it affects relations with neighbouring countries including Bangladesh,” senior politician and opposition Congress leader Anand Sharma told media in Delhi hours after the list was published.
