Nagpur: The Jamiat Ulema Hind, Nagpur chapter, on Wednesday appealed to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to have a rethink on implementation of National Population Register (NPR) exercise along with the census from May 1 across Maharashtra. The body of clerics suggested that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government follow the example of other state governments and pass a resolution against the controversial citizenship law (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and NPR.
The religious group, which had organized so far the biggest rally during winter session of legislature here, said NPR was a step towards bringing NRC by the Modi government and thus had to be opposed.
Addressing reporters at Patrakar Bhavan, Jamiat’s Hafiz Masood said community would extend full support in case the NPR is done as per the 2011 format while the current one raised a lot of doubts.
Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed, another office bearer, said Thackeray had himself stated not just the Muslims but several other communities including poor and tribals would be affected by the NRC. “Despite saying this, his (Uddhav’s) government is preparing for NPR,” he said.
Masood said, “As per a government resolution of 2004, the data of NPR will be used for NRC. So there is a clear link between the two exercises while the central government is trying to mislead the people.”
They said the district administration in Nagpur too was not disclosing the format, raising more doubts in the minds of people. “As per our information, several district collectors have cleared their position on NPR and government instructions. But here there is no information given to public. What is the administration trying to conceal,” he asked.
Lawyer Fawaz Mirza Baig, another office bearer, said he was ready to declare a prize money if he gets answer on his question regarding the NPR format. “The government is saying it is gathering accurate information to pass on subsidies and schemes beside framing policies. I am ready to reward anyone who tells me how the place of death and birth of one’s ancestors is going to help government in that direction. As per 2011 NPR format, citizens had to just mention the first alphabet of their relative - father, mother, spouse - in case they were deceased. These are the things that leave common citizens all the more in doubts,” he said.
Other office bearers including Abdul Bari Patel, former corporator Siraj Ahmed, Javed Akhtar, Atiquee Qureshi, and others were present.
The religious group, which had organized so far the biggest rally during winter session of legislature here, said NPR was a step towards bringing NRC by the Modi government and thus had to be opposed.
Addressing reporters at Patrakar Bhavan, Jamiat’s Hafiz Masood said community would extend full support in case the NPR is done as per the 2011 format while the current one raised a lot of doubts.
Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed, another office bearer, said Thackeray had himself stated not just the Muslims but several other communities including poor and tribals would be affected by the NRC. “Despite saying this, his (Uddhav’s) government is preparing for NPR,” he said.
Masood said, “As per a government resolution of 2004, the data of NPR will be used for NRC. So there is a clear link between the two exercises while the central government is trying to mislead the people.”
They said the district administration in Nagpur too was not disclosing the format, raising more doubts in the minds of people. “As per our information, several district collectors have cleared their position on NPR and government instructions. But here there is no information given to public. What is the administration trying to conceal,” he asked.
Lawyer Fawaz Mirza Baig, another office bearer, said he was ready to declare a prize money if he gets answer on his question regarding the NPR format. “The government is saying it is gathering accurate information to pass on subsidies and schemes beside framing policies. I am ready to reward anyone who tells me how the place of death and birth of one’s ancestors is going to help government in that direction. As per 2011 NPR format, citizens had to just mention the first alphabet of their relative - father, mother, spouse - in case they were deceased. These are the things that leave common citizens all the more in doubts,” he said.
Other office bearers including Abdul Bari Patel, former corporator Siraj Ahmed, Javed Akhtar, Atiquee Qureshi, and others were present.
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app