Rohingyas not refugees because they did not follow due process: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday claimed that it is a mistake to consider Rohingyas entering India as refugees as they did not follow due procedure. 

"We need to understand that Rohingyas who have infiltrated India are not refugees," Singh said during an NHRC programme. 

The Minister argued that there is a set procedure to follow in order to acquire refugee status, hence the Rohingyas currently in India are illegal immigrants. Thus, human rights argument does not apply, he told media. 

"India won't be violating any international law by deporting Rohingyas from India, as it isn't a signatory to 1951 UN Refugee Convention," the home minister added. "Principle of non-refoulement applies on those who have taken asylum in India. No Rohingya has applied for asylum in India till today."

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Furthermore, Rajnath Singh stressed that 'People need to understand that one aspect of illegal immigration of Rohingyas is related to the national security'.

On the humanitarian actions taken by Indian govt, Rajnath said, PM Modi had requested Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to accept returning Rohingyas. Hopefully, concrete actions will be taken soon, he said. 

India is also sending humanitarian relief to Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees, the minister added. 

It is to be noted that Supreme Court is scheduled to hear petition against the deportation of Rohingya Muslims filed by West Benga; State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on October 3. 

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