RSS Likely to Revive NRC Discussion at Key Meeting in Bengaluru

Over five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi distanced his government from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) during a public meeting in December 2019, the issue appears to be returning to the political forefront.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is expected to bring NRC back into discussion at its Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meeting, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from March 21 to 23. Sources indicate that the implementation of NRC across India, particularly in certain states, will be a key topic of deliberation.

RSS Concerns Over Demographic Changes

An RSS office-bearer emphasized concerns over demographic shifts caused by illegal immigration, particularly in Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.

“The demography of several states has changed due to illegal immigration. Even the Christian population in Jharkhand is declining compared to Muslims. In strategically sensitive states like Arunachal Pradesh, the influx from Bangladesh is altering demographics. Identifying and deporting illegal immigrants is the Union government’s responsibility,” the leader stated.

NRC Implementation Without Fear for Indian Citizens

RSS sources suggest that the ABPS will focus on ensuring that NRC is implemented in a way that no Indian citizen feels threatened. The meeting is also expected to discuss whether NRC should be conducted in select states first.

The ABPS is likely to pass resolutions on at least two national issues, though it remains uncertain whether NRC will be among them. “Resolutions are decided during the meeting, not in advance. It will depend on how senior leaders choose to proceed,” said an RSS leader.

Why the RSS Meeting Matters

The ABPS summit is the highest decision-making body of the RSS, attended by top Sangh leaders, including Mohan Bhagwat and Dattatreya Hosabale. BJP leaders, including its party president, may also be present.

Decisions made at the ABPS not only set the agenda for the Sangh for the year ahead but also sent strong policy signals to the government.

Government and BJP’s Shifting Stand on NRC

Since the 2019 anti-CAA protests, the government has not actively pushed for NRC, and the BJP dropped it from its 2024 election manifesto, despite having included it in 2019.

However, BJP leaders have periodically reaffirmed their commitment to NRC. In October 2023, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while campaigning in Jharkhand, stated: “NRC will be implemented in Jharkhand, and illegal immigrants will be identified and removed.”

RSS’s Long-Standing Position on NRC

The RSS has consistently advocated for a nationwide NRC. In October 2019, then-RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said:

“Every government must prepare an NRC. Infiltration has occurred in many forms. We must first identify those who are not Indian citizens and then draft a policy regarding them.”

In July 2021, Mohan Bhagwat sought to counter communal narratives around NRC, stating: “It has been turned into a Hindu-Muslim issue when it is not one. NRC is simply about identifying who the citizens of India are.”

Bhagwat has also linked NRC to concerns about demographic imbalance, emphasizing that undocumented migration plays a key role in shifting India’s population structure.

Is NRC a Logical Next Step?

Though the government has not made any moves on NRC in recent years, it remains a potential follow-up to the Census, which is expected to be conducted by next year.

Under the Citizenship Rules of 2003, NRC is to be carried out based on the National Population Register (NPR), which is updated during the Census. If the house listing phase of the Census goes forward, the groundwork for NRC may be laid.

With the RSS reigniting the debate, the discussion around NRC may once again take center stage in national politics.