Doubts Raised Over MoS, Home Nishit Pramanik's Nationality
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-07-18 12:34:15
About the Author
Ripun Bora, Congress MP from Assam and state
Congress chief, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an inquiry into newly-appointed
Minister of State for Home Nishit Pramanik's place of birth and nationality.
According to accusations that are now surfacing from more than one source,
Pramanik is alleged to be a Bangladeshi citizen. Trinamool Congress leaders have
also joined the chorus of opposition leaders who are demanding an inquiry into
his nationality.
The reason for this controversy is a Facebook
post by Poojar Mela, a religious organization in Bangladesh which lauded him
for his achievement and wrote that he was "the successful son of
Harinathpur in the Palashbari police station area of the Gaibandha district of
Bangladesh." The post was later deleted.
But can a mere social media post by someone cast
doubts on the citizenship of a Central minister? Before being appointed, a
thorough background check is conducted by central agencies on possible candidates. Is it
possible that the central investigating agencies missed to find out that he is
not an Indian citizen?
The BJP has taken the stand that pointing fingers
is not enough. It said that those accusing him must provide proof. None of the
opposition leaders have given any proof so far.
But this is a serious matter. The opposition must
not make baseless charges in such a cavalier manner unless it has proof. The
government is not very anxious about it because of the background check. It may
be that his ancestors hailed from Bangladesh and that is why the Bangladeshi
organization posted the congratulatory message on Facebook. The government must
place all details in public domain to clear the matter.
