No Rohingyas to Be Deported Until 21 Nov Hearing Says SC
The government told Parliament that more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UNHCR, were staying in India.
- The Supreme Court observed that no Rohingya refugees should be deported until the next hearing on 21 November
- The SC also said that while national importance cannot be secondary, at the same time, human rights of the Rohingyas should be kept in mind
- The Centre has filed an affidavit in the SC on a plea against the deportation of Rohingyas
No Rohingya Refugees to be Deported Until Next Hearing on 21 November: SC
The Supreme Court on 13 October observed that national importance cannot be secondary and at the same time human rights of Rohingya refugees must be kept in mind, reported ANI. The apex court also observed that no Rohingya refugee should be deported until the next date of hearing, that is, 21 November.
The Supreme Court said on Friday, “We have to strike a balance. It is not an ordinary case. The issue involves human rights of many.”
Tushar Mehta, arguing for the Centre, told the 3-judge SC bench that "this is an issue involving international ramifications," reported ANI. The apex court has told the Centre that needs to inform the court about any contingency plans it might have, reported ANI.
Here's What Centre's Affidavit on Rohingyas Says
We Should Wait for the SC's Verdict: Rajnath Singh
Centre Files Affidavit in SC
The Centre on Monday filed an affidavit in the SC on a plea against the deportation of Rohingya refugees from India. It told the court that the total number of “such illegal immigrants” would be more than 40,000, reported ANI.
Several Union Ministers, as well as ministers in the Assam government, have in the past said that the Rohingyas are illegal immigrants in India and will have to leave the country.
The Centre again reiterated its stand on Rohingyas terming their stay as “illegal” and told the court that they pose a serious threat to the national security.
It said that “the continuance of Rohingyas’ illegal entry into India and their continued stay has serious national security ramifications and threats.”
File Response to Petitions by 3 October: SC to Centre
The Supreme Court has granted Centre time till 3 October to submit its response to petition filed by Rohingyas opposing proposed deportation.
Protecting India Is Our Duty: Union Min Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju called the Rohingya deportation issue a “sensitive matter”. He said whatever steps the government of India takes “will be in nation’s interest”.
Centre to File Affidavit in SC Today
The Centre will file an affidavit in the Supreme Court on 18 September on its plans to deport Rohingya Muslims.
The Supreme Court had asked the government to file an affidavit on a plea against the deportation of illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants to Myanmar.
“We will file the affidavit in the Supreme Court on 18 September,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had told reporters recently.
The plea, filed by two Rohingya immigrants – Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir who are registered as refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) – claimed they have taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence, and bloodshed against the community there.
14,000 Rohingyas in India: Govt Report
The issue came to the fore after the Union Home Ministry had in July said illegal immigrants such as the Rohingyas posed grave security challenges as they might be recruited by terror groups, and asked state governments to identify and deport them.
The government told Parliament on 9 August that according to available data, more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UNHCR, were staying in India.
However, some inputs indicate that around 40,000 Rohingyas were staying in India illegally and they were largely settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and Rajasthan.
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