Opposition's "RSS Anti-National" Retort At Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma Over National Flag

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a public event on Tuesday had said hoisting the national flag is a more credible way than applying for inclusion of names in the NRC to prove one's nationality

The opposition parties in Assam have reacted sharply after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made an appeal to the people of the state to hoist the national flag at their homes from August 13 to 15. The opposition linked the matter with the National Register of Citizens, or NRC, process in the state, which has been stuck since 2019.

Mr Sarma at a public event on Tuesday had said hoisting the national flag is a more credible way than applying for inclusion of names in the NRC to prove one's nationality.

"This year, between August 13 and 15, put up the national flag in your homes. You are an Indian citizen just by applying for NRC, it is not enough. You will have to give proof by wearing the tricolour that you are a child of Mother India. Is it or not? The national flag will be available for Rs 16 in ration shops. We will not take it for free because we have an obligation towards the country, we will not take the flag given by others, we will buy it ourselves," Mr Sarma said at the event in Assam's Udalguri district.

The opposition parties questioned him on the matter on Wednesday.