The Indian Army soldiers fight biting cold weather, scorching heat, rain and storms during uphill battles to protect their country. They are valiant and fearless. Their patriotism powerful, courage resolute and their identity unquestioned.
Contrary to what we would imagine, an Indian Army soldier from Assam¡¯s Barpeta district is struggling to prove his identity and Indian citizenship so that his name could be included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The 43-year-old soldier named Shahidul Islam is currently posted in Kolkata though, he has served for the nation in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir as well as one of the highest combat zones, the Siachen glacier.
Photo: AP/Representative Image
Speaking to the Indian Express, Islam said that he is now contesting a case ?at the Foreigners¡¯ Tribunal Number 11 of Barpeta district so that he can prove his Indian citizenship.
¡°I have been posted in Kashmir, Kargil, and Siachen. I love my country and stand to protect it. But back home (in Assam), I am (seen as) a doubtful citizen,¡± he told the publication. His hearing has been scheduled for March 18 but he doubts if he would be able to attend it because he may ¡°be on the move¡±.
Reportedly, the reference case against his family was made in 2003. Following which his mother and brother were asked to appear before the court on November 9. Islam also has two brother who are a part of the Indian armed forces, 27-year-old Mizanur Ali, a CISF trooper and 29-year-old Delbor Ali who has been a part of the Army Medical Corps since 2010.
Photo: BCCL
Islam¡¯s father¡¯s name Abdul Hamid also finds a mention in this case who died in August 2005. Col Hari Nair, commanding officer of 852 Light Regiment in a letter to the Assam CM said that Shahidul was under his command and prior to joining the Indian Army, both Shahidul and Delbor were declared as Indian citizens after police verification.
The National Register of Citizens is a database of all the Indian citizens of Assam. It was prepared in 1951 and a 2013 Supreme Court order directed the update of this database. On July 30, the final draft of the ?Assam's National Register of Citizens was published. Out of the 3.29 crore people who had applied to become a part of the NRC, 2.89 crore were identified as valid citizens. More than 40 lakh citizens have been found to be invalid citizens of India.
Those whose names were left out were asked to appeal and present objections.