P K Langar
Since the time when Islam spread its wing in South Asia, the Centre Asian and Arab visitors and traders, have settled in Rakhine (Arakan) on the western coast of Myanmar, erstwhile Burma. Though not being of Sino-Tibetan descendents, the Rohingya Muslims had settled amicably with the native people with certain restrictions. However, during the recent past the nefarious leaders among this poor class started demanding a separate state for Muslims where their religion, culture and ethnicity could be protected. The indoctrination coupled with emotional speeches by their dubious leaders started an aggressive rebellion against the State. The Myanmar Govt’s, especially its military leaderships action, to quell this rebellion seemed appropriate since it was threatening the territorial sanctity and sovereignty of Myanmar. This approach cascaded into increased insurgency and terrorist activities by the misguided Rohingyas which in turn resulted in more oppressive action and ruthless killing by the Myanmar Govt.
The Rohingyas Muslims exodus started few years back however, it was in 2012-13 when a large number of Rohingya illegally entered India through West Bengal and Tripura with fake documentation obtained through an effective network of touts and anti-national elements. India already has large populations who have to be looked after by inadequate resources in terms of food, shelter, health care and education. With this large un-employed labour force fighting for its survival, and lack of adequate infrastructure in our country will only affect the well being of our own people in the future. Today, India is trying to absorb approximately 40,000 Rohingya whose numbers will only increase in the years to come. India does not want to repeat Bangladesh refugee scenario of 1971, when the country had to go to war with Pakistan to re-establish East Pakistani refugees to their mainland (now Bangladesh).
As per intelligence reports the able bodied Rohingya are gullible to go astray with the indoctrination by terrorist groups of Pakistan which are located all over South Asia especially Bangladesh and Myanmar. These refugees are poor, uneducated and frustrated with their lives, and hence likely to be lured by Al Qaida, ISIS and Pakistani terror groups. Under such circumstances it will be prudent for the Indian Govt. not to be swayed by human right activists, both outside and inside India, and take legal action to deport illegal immigrants.
Technically India is not party to the Convention relating to the Status of the Refugees 1951 and the Protocol of the Status of Refugees 1967 and as such India is not obliged to be answerable to any quarter for not absorbing the illegal immigrants. On the contrary, the Foreigners Act, 1946 gives right to Govt. to act against foreigners staying illegally in India after their identification and documentation are found to be false. However, on humanitarian grounds and India being a large democratic country, it will be prudent to provide financial and administrative assistance to Bangladesh who is under immence pressure to accommodate around 4,00,000 Rohingya refugees.
Also, Myanmar Govt. could be advised to stop atrocities by their security forces on Rohingyas, and restore peace and normalcy so that these displaced and poor refugees could get back to their native place and lead a secure life. As a good neighbor India could provide all the assistance which Myanmar Govt. requires for rehabilitation of the refugees. India should also use its good office to approach UNHRC to request UN forces to pressurize Myanmar Govt. to make conducive conditions for the refugees to return to their homeland and live a respectable life as a citizen of Myanmar.
In the final analysis it is strongly recommended that India should adopt ‘Raj Dharma’ towards the well being and safety of the country men and take a righteous and unbiased action with regard to Rohingya refugees notwithstanding the influence of so called designer Human Right activists thriving on the politics of vote bank.
(The author is a retired Brigadier)
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