NPR nothing but 'NRC in disguise', will fight it: Chidambaram

Asserting that the National Population Register is nothing but "NRC in disguise", Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Saturday that the Modi government has changed gears and is now only talking about the NPR after the "fiasco" in Assam over the citizenship list.

The former Union home minister said states are justified to oppose the implementation of the NPR and the CAA as the Constitutional validity lies with the Supreme Court.

"Our purpose is to fight the sinister purpose of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Population of Register (NPR) and mobilise public opinion against them. Our stated position is that we will not agree to NPR being rolled out from April 2020," he said.

He said all political parties fighting against the NPR, the CAA and the proposed nationwide NRC must come together.

"We are fighting against NRC and CAA. Sometimes together, sometimes differently. The important thing is that we are fighting," he said.

On the opposition-ruled states participating in the January 17 meeting on the NPR, Chidambaram said participation does not mean acquiesce or acceptance. "It is about knowing what the other side thinks about it."
On the petitions filed against the CAA in the Supreme Court, Chidambaram, also a lawyer, said, "Many eminent lawyers, many eminent jurists have already opined that the CAA is unconstitutional. We will put up arguments on our side."