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Supreme Court’s Blunt Take On Legal Status Of Rohingyas, Asks Whether “intruders” Should Be Given A “Red Carpet Welcome”
“If they do not have legal status to stay in India, and you are an intruder, we have a very sensitive border in the north India side. If an intruder comes, do we give them a red carpet welcome saying we would like to give you all facilities,” the CJI asked, adding, “What is the problem in sending them back.”
Picture : ANI/X
The Supreme Court has sharply questioned the legal status of Rohingyas living in India and asked whether “intruders” should be given a “red carpet welcome” while the country’s own citizens grapple with poverty.
According to various media reports, A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made sharp observations while hearing a habeas corpus (bring the person) petition filed by rights activist Rita Manchanda alleging disappearance of few Rohingyas from the custody of authorities in New Delhi.
Now, the hearing in the case has been adjourned to December 16.
The counsel alleged certain Rohingyas were picked up by the Delhi police in May and there was no information about their whereabouts.
“If they do not have legal status to stay in India, and you are an intruder, we have a very sensitive border in the north India side. If an intruder comes, do we give them a red carpet welcome saying we would like to give you all facilities,” the CJI asked, adding, “What is the problem in sending them back.”
He said India is a country with a lot of poor people, and we should rather focus on them.
“First you enter, you cross the border illegally. You dug a tunnel or crossed the fence and entered India illegally. Then you say, now that I have entered, your laws must apply to me and say, I am entitled to food, I am entitled to shelter, my children are entitled to education. Do we want to stretch the law like this,” the CJI asked.
The petitioner referred to an apex court order of 2020 in which it was said that Rohingyas must be deported only according to procedure.
“We also have poor people in the country. They are citizens. Are they not entitled to certain benefits and amenities? Why not concentrate on them? It is true, even if somebody has entered illegally, we should not subject them to third-degree methods… You are asking a writ of habeas to bring them back,” CJI Kant asked.