Did PM Modi Lie About NRC, Detention Centres In His Speech At Ramlila?

As the protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) continue across the country, 23 people have so far lost their lives. Clashes between the police and protesters, the imposition of section 144 in various cities and destruction of public properties have left the nation in turmoils.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge gathering at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday, December 23, ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, it paved the perfect opportunity for PM Modi to put people’s fears to rest.

In his speech, the PM left no stones unturned to shift the blame to ‘Urban Naxals’ and the Opposition for spreading ‘rumours and misinformation.’ Furthermore, he made certain claims that were contradictory to statements by his BJP counterparts.

The Logical Indian team fact-checked some of his statements on CAA and NRC.

Claims

‘There Are No Detention Centres In India’

“Koi desh ke musalmano ko na detention centre main bheja ja raha hai, na Hindustan main koi detention centre hai (No Indian Muslims are being sent to detention centres, and neither are there any detention centres in this country),” said Modi.

He also accused Urban Naxals and the Congress of spreading rumours regarding detention centres in the country.

I request the youth of the country to read the Act in detail and not to fall prey to the rumors of detention-centers being spread by Urban Naxals and Congress.

It’s a lie and is dividing the nation: PM Modi #DilliChaleModiKeSaath

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 22, 2019

‘No Nation-wide NRC’

In his speech, PM Modi said that there has been no discussion on NRC since BJP came to power in 2014 and that it only followed the Supreme Court directive to implement it in Assam.

The 130 crore Indians have no connection to the CAB. A lot of lies are being spread about NRC as well.

It was made during the Congress regime. Where were the protesters then? We did not make it, nor did we bring it to the Parliament or announce it: PM Modi #DilliChaleModiKeSaath

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 22, 2019

‘Jammu And Kashmir Women Deprived Of Rights If Married Outside The State’

Pointing out the opposition to CAA, PM Modi said, “The very people opposing citizenship rights to refugees had supported in 2004 a move to deprive Jammu and Kashmir’s women of rights if they married someone outside the State.”

आज जो पार्टियां यहां शोर मचा रही हैं, वो 2004 में कहां थीं जब वहां की सरकार ने कहा कि राज्य से बाहर के निवासी से शादी करने पर जम्मू-कश्मीर की बेटियों की वहां की नागरिकता खत्म हो जाएगी।

क्या वो भेदभाव भारत के संविधान की स्पिरिट के अनुसार था: पीएम मोदी #DilliChaleModiKeSaath

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 22, 2019

Fact-Check

While the Prime Minister was firm on his claims that there are no detention centres in the country, reports from across the country say otherwise.

In Assam alone, there are six detention centres, including the country’s largest camp at Matia in Goalpara district, and the government is planning to build ten more in the state. Between 2016 and October 2019, 28 foreigners lodged in these detention centres died. Also, as of November 22, 2019, 988 foreigners were lodged in six detention centres in Assam, said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai in Rajya Sabha in November.

In July, the government had issued a Model Detention Centre Manual to all State Governments and UT Administrations, asking them to set up at least one detention centre in the state/UT. The same was confirmed in a question raised in Rajya Sabha in July this year.

“With a view to formalise the setting up of detention/holding centres in various States/U.T.s for restricting the movement of illegal immigrants/ foreign nationals awaiting deportation, the Government has prepared a Model Detention Centre Manual and circulated to all State Governments/ U.T. Administrations on 09/01/2019,” said the answer.

In September, the Maharashtra government had announced that they had identified land in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, to construct the state’s first detention centre for illegal migrants.

New India’s ‘Concentration Camp’ project of Assam has gone National – Maharashtra govt has identified land in Navi Mumbai for state’s first detention center for ‘illegal immigrants’!https://t.co/0Jn29YDu0z via @mumbaimirror

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 7, 2019

The Logical Indian also visited South India’s first detention camp at Sondekoppa village, around 30 km from Bengaluru, which is set to begin operations by January 2020.

The Indian National Congress also called out Modi on his statement and said that a simple ‘Google search’ could refute his claims.

Does PM Modi believe Indians can’t do a simple google search to fact check his lies?

Detention Centres are extremely real and will continue to grow as long as this govt is in power. https://t.co/S8caIH6u6J pic.twitter.com/APl4JNfQgc

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 22, 2019

‘Will Implement Nation-wide NR…