Is a PIL Pushing for NRC Implementation in West Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court has accepted a PIL seeking NRC implementation.
- Concerns about illegal immigration, particularly from Rohingya migrants, are central to the petition.
- Upcoming hearing on July 29 could impact West Bengal's security policy.
- Political leaders have voiced opposition to perceived NRC imposition.
- Special Intensive Revision of voter lists is set to start in early August.
Kolkata, July 22 (NationPress) – A public interest litigation (PIL) was submitted to a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, calling for the execution of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal.
The division bench, comprising Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das, accepted the PIL lodged by an individual named Paramita De. The case is scheduled for a hearing on July 29.
The court has also instructed the state government to provide updates regarding any other similar petitions filed on the same matter, along with their current statuses.
In her petition, Paramita De asserted that illegal immigrants have been entering West Bengal from various neighboring countries, with a particular concern regarding the influx of Rohingya migrants.
She emphasized that this widespread illegal immigration is negatively impacting law and order in West Bengal, putting the safety and security of women and children at significant risk.
The petitioner further argued that due to the pressing security concerns arising from this illegal infiltration, the immediate enactment of the NRC in the state is imperative.
Recently, both West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the Union Government and the BJP are attempting to covertly impose the NRC in West Bengal.
They alleged that the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list by the Election Commission of India (ECI) is actually a hidden effort to implement the NRC in West Bengal. Both leaders voiced their opposition to this issue during the Trinamool Congress’s annual Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata on Monday, pledging to resist the Special Intensive Revision at any cost.
The Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls is anticipated to commence in West Bengal in the first week of August.