NEW DELHI: The National Register of Citizens in Assam sparked sharp exchanges and disruptions in Parliament with opposition alleging discrimination while home minister Rajnath Singh dismissed the charges as politicisation of a sensitive issue.

Singh clashed with the opposition, which he accused of whipping up an atmosphere of panic and fear, and said the entire exercise has been carried out under the direction of the Supreme Court while adding those excluded from the list will be given time to prove their bona fides as citizens.

Opposing NRC, Trinamool Congress, Congress, CPI(M) and SP criticised the government over publication of the list, saying it puts "human rights and democratic rights" of people at stake. In Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge warned the government "it was making a big mistake". Singh was unable to make his statement in the Upper House amid din.

Responding to the charge, Singh said NRC was demanded by the people of Assam and "government has not role in it". "Everything is being done as per the Supreme Court order. The allegation of the opposition against the government is baseless," he said.

The home minister said the list includes names of 2.89 crore people and those left out will get a chance to raise claims and objections after August 28. "And if somebody is not satisfied even after that, they will have the opportunity to go to the foreigners' tribunal," Singh said and asked the opposition to list out what the government should do in the light of the SC order.

Several opposition parties staged a walk-out. Trinamool Congress had moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, which was not taken up by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Asking where 40 lakh people not on the list will go, Trinamool's Sudip Bandyopadhyay asked the Centre to ensure justice should not be denied to people who have been living in Assam for decades now.

Kharge said "original citizens" of the state are being asked questions and this is creating division in the state based on caste and creed.

