Rohingya petitioner to SC 'We are refugees, not illegal immigrants'

September 23, 2017

On Friday, a Rohingya petitioner told Supreme Court that Rohingyas aren't illegal immigrants but they are refugees who escaped Myanmar violence and they need protection under the international agreements. Mohammad Salimullah, a Rohingya Muslim seeking asylum in India, claimed before the apex court that the Constitution of India provides equality and protection to the both citizens and the foreigners alike. Mr Salimullah declines that Rohingya Muslims are a threat to India. & quot Rohingyas are not a part of any militancy act. They are a fleeing persecuted ethnic minority who only desires peaceful asylum,& quot he said to the court. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Rohingya Muslims who are living in India cannot be termed as refugees but illegal immigrants from Myanmar, and objection to deport them back is baseless as Myanmar is willing to take them back. Singh also questioned those organisations which are objecting the deportation of Rohingyas. & quot When Myanmar is ready to accept them back. I don't know what is the objection,& quot he added. Rohingya petitioner, said to the apex court that deportation of Rohingyas will violate human rights and India's commitment towards international law on the refugees. & quot There should not be a general assumption that the entire Rohingya community living in India is involved in militancy acts,& quot Salimullah added. The top court is going to hear Salimullah's plea on October 3. Government has said that it can deport the Rohingyas and has requested the apex court to not to interfere. Around 1.5 lakh Rohingyas have arrived in neighbouring country Bangladesh from Myanmar's Rakhine state, according to Human rights monitors.