Rajya Sahha adjourned over NRC draft in Assam

When the Upper House resumed after the first adjournment at noon, members from Opposition parties especially Congress, TMC and Samajwadi Party demanded the issue to be discussed immediately.

But Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow them and adjourned the proceedings for the second time till 2 pm.

In what could spell political ramifications, around 40 lakh people in Assam have been left out of the complete NRC draft released on Monday, virtually refusing to recognise them as Indian nationals till they are able to prove their citizenship, reports said.

The deletion of such a huge number of names though may pacify many other local people and regional organisations which have been vociferous against largescale illegal migration and change in the state's demography, it is likely to become an issue the Government would like to deal with cautiously with many fearing possible deportation.

However, the Centre sought to dispel such a fear, saying that this is only a draft and those dropped out of the list need not be panicked as they have the options for putting forward their objection and defend themselves as Indian citizens.

"Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear... This is a draft and not the final list," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.