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- Published: August 17, 2022 19:11
New Delhi: A controversy erupted on Wednesday over proposed allotment of EWS flats to Rohingya refugees, prompting protest on social media and later clarification by the Union Home Ministry.
The Home Ministry in a tweet set the records straight and said that there was no proposal to provide government flats to Rohingya illegal migrants.
It also said that illegal migrants will have to face deportation and until that has been achieved, they will be kept in deportation centres.
With respect to news reports in certain sections of media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 17, 2022
“The Government of Delhi has not declared the present location as a Detention Centre. They have been directed to do the same immediately,” tweeted Home Ministry.
Illegal foreigners are to be kept in Detention Centre till their deportation as per law. The Government of Delhi has not declared the present location as a Detention Centre. They have been directed to do the same immediately.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 17, 2022
How the controversy broke out
Earlier in the day, Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a tweet that Rohingya refugees will be shifted to EWS (Economically weaker section) flats in Delhi’s Bakkarwala area, where they will be provided with basic amenities.
Hitting out at political rivals, he said that those made a career out of spreading canards on India’s refugee policy linking it to CAA will be disappointed.
India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all #Rohingya #Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs & round-the-clock @DelhiPolice protection. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/E5ShkHOxqE
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 17, 2022
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also latched on the contentious issue and took umbrage at proposed settlement of Rohingya migrants and blamed the Centre for ‘lopsided policy’. It also accused the Centre of ignoring the plight of persecuted Hindu refugees from nations like Pakistan & Bangladesh.
According to reports, there are more than 1,000 Rohingya refugees living in tents across the national capital.
Their deportation & settlement has been a polarizing issue for BJP & its rivals. During elections, the saffron party steps up offensive on Congress governments, accusing it for their infiltration while the latter remains in denial and accuses BJP of vitiating the atmosphere by pandering to a certain voter base.