Guwahati: Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya has said that "Hindustan is for Hindus" and not a single Bangladeshi's name should figure in the National Register for Citizens (NRC).
According to TOI, Acharya made these remarks during a book launch on Saturday while replying to a question on updating the NRC list.
"Hindustan is for Hindus. There is nothing wrong with that. Hindus from different countries can stay here. They cannot be outsiders. There is nothing to be feared about that. But how to accommodate them is a big question and we should think about that," he said.
The Assam governor also said that Assam has nothing to fear about 'Hindu refugees' from Bangladesh settling in the state and there is nothing wrong in Hindus from other countries taking shelter in India.
Acharya's comments are considered important in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Centre's notification of allowing religious minorities from Pakistan and Bangladesh fleeing persecution to seek shelter in India.
Acharya also expressed concern over what he called emergence of different ideological groups in the north-easter region saying "The integrity of the country is at stake. The northeast is in a danger zone. Different ideological groups are posing a threat to our country. We should strive to save our integrity," said Acharya.
Though he did not took names but it was evidently clear that he was alluding to Islamic terror groups.
Earlier in September, Acharya had said that "All non-Muslim immigrants should be given Indian citizenship with voting rights while those from the Muslim religion can 'slog and stay'. He had also said "Hindus have the birth right to get Indian citizenship and voting rights here."
