Confusion prevails over not providing papers for NPR

HYDERABAD: Despite the call to take a pledge against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), even educated persons are in doubt and not sure if this can be complied with.

There is a lot of confusion at the ground level as educated, professionals, businessmen and those in government service are contemplating the impact of non-participation, within the confines of homes.

The biggest fear emerging is the paralysis it will lead to in terms of admission to educational institutes, business and banking transactions, travel and business prospects.

The fear playing on their minds is being isolated to small and confined groups as they find that they cannot openly speak to anyone. A senior member of the Muslim community explained, “While we have taken part in the protest and are completely against it, the reality is that it is a law. What are we to do now? What is the road further? Citizenship will be linked to our livelihood, family and our way of life. How are we to refrain despite having all the documents?”

Those who have the documents are of the opinion that they will submit as it is demand of the government.  There are also doubts as to how many are offering lip service and how many will actually practice what they are saying. When it comes to the implementation stage, the compliance levels will be high, assert senior members who do not want to be quoted for fear of public anger.  

“We are being told not to worry and that a large chunk of people cannot be fined. Agreed but how many can be protected. Will this protection come at a cost? These are questions which need to be answered. We need a tough stand as has been taken by the governments of Kerala and Punjab. If it comes from the state government there will be some weight to it,” asserted another.

Anxiety is ripping people apart as secretly many of them have started checking, verifying and also gathering documents. The emotional outbursts have allowed them to vent their anger but reality of documentation is looming over them.

What is now traumatising them is that they cannot openly talk about submission out of fear that this might anger the public. This has created a vacuum in friends, social media and family groups where many are not able to clear their doubts.

The Alliance against CAA and NRC has stated that they will assist people and that no one must submit documents. They have issued pamphlets that the new law is not binding to open bank accounts, admissions in schools and also business practices.

The recent notification of Central Bank of India making a certificate from the National Register of Citizens as an identity proof was also strongly opposed and it was taken back is an example cited. Yet it is not convincing and many are edgy and unsure.