The NRC and the Muslims Asad Mirza The National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill emerged as key issues during the election campaign with both BJP President Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at loggerheads over it. The BJP is pitching the NRC as a strong step against infiltrators and illegal immigrants. Shah, during his rally at Kalimpong, in the hill district of Darjeeling, spoke in favour of the issue, claiming that it does not affect Gorkhas and some ethnic tribes of the region. Through the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the BJP will look to grant citizenship to religious minorities who have been persecuted in the neighbouring countries. On the other hand, Banerjee has raised objections to both the policies, claiming that several people will lose citizenship and voting rights. What has happened in Assam, with the implementation of NRC is there for every one to see. Scores of people have been labelled ‘foreigners’ and detain