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NEW DELHI: As opposition parties on Monday created uproar in Lok Sabha over publication of the second list of National Register of Citizens ( NRC ) in Assam alleging creation of division the state on religious lines, home minister Rajnath Singh lashed out at them “for creating an atmosphere of panic and fear” and “politicizing a sensitive issue.”

Opposing NRC during question hour, TMC, Congress, CPI(M) and SP criticised the government over the publication of the list, saying it puts “human rights and democratic rights” of people at stake. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge warned the government that “it was making a big mistake”.

Responding to the charge, Singh said that the NRC was being demanded by the people of Assam and “government has no role in it”.

“Everything is being done as per the Supreme Court order. The allegation of the opposition against the government is baseless,” Singh said.

He added that this was not the final list. “The current list includes names of 2.89 crore people. After this, everybody who is left out will get a chance to raise claims and objections after August 28. An SOP (standing operating procedure) will be prepared for the same. When the disposal will happen, that too will be decided by the SC. And if somebody is not satisfied even after that, they will have the opportunity to go to the foreigners’ tribunal”, Singh added.

“So, there is no need to create any panic since it’s a very sensitive issue,” he said.

Singh, pointing out at the opposition benches, even asked the opposition leaders to “list out what role can government play in an SC ordered matter”, at which point leaders of TMC, Congress and left parties walked out of the house.

Out of 3.29 crore applicants for the NRC, 2.89 crores have been found eligible for inclusion in the complete draft of NRC, that was released in Guwahati on Monday morning. This means that the names of 40.07 lakh have been left out.

The Trinamool Congress had moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on the NRC issue, which was not taken up by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Asking where these 40 lakh people will go, Sudip Bandyopadhyay of TMC asked the Centre to ensure that justice should not be denied to the people who have been living in Assam for decades now.

“It is inhuman and is a torture on people. I request the centre that amendments be moved so that these 40 lakh people get to stay in Assam,” he said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said “original citizens” of the state are being asked questions and this is creating division in the state based on caste and creed.

