AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROHINGYA CONTROVERSY

AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROHINGYA CONTROVERSY

Myanmar is a sovereign country, so is India.
Myanmar is a democratic country, so is India.
Myanmar emphasizes ‘equality’ and ‘peace’, so does India.

Myanmar is a small country surrounded by 5 different countries. The relationship between Myanmar and India is been a high point of discussion in the light of Rohingya refugees. Rohingya community comes from Rakhine state of Myanmar where it is deprived of citizenship and basic human rights. Their immigration of this “unaccepted everywhere” people to other countries and the issue of their citizenship have heated up the debate on international platforms. Moreover, being highly politicized in India. Political correctness is being defined in all new terms where it is either being given a religious angle or a humanitarian one.

Rohingyas should not be called migrants firstly, they are “refugees”. A refugee is a person who has fled his state due to some war like situation or suppression. In the name of ‘ethnic cleansing’, they have been forced to move away from their homeland. Secondly, the debate is about 40,000 new refugees which have entered India and not the already existing 14,000 refugee certificate holder Rohingyas in India. The new population is termed to be illegal as they do not hold any card or certificate to reside as refugees.

Indian government recently reflected its intentions to deport Rohingyas back to their country which is apparently for the sake of these refugees. These intentions do not imply denial of equality and personal liberty under article 14 and 21 of the Constitution respectively. However, they imply solution on an international level in expressed terms. In Surbanand Sonowal v. Union of India, the Supreme Court declared that it is the foremost duty of the Government to protect its borders and prevent trespass from other countries which could be a national threat. However, citing the example of Chakmas is completely baseless as it was a matter of migration of ‘Indian citizenship holder migrants (from East-Pakistan, now Bangladesh)’ from Assam to Arunanchal Pradesh. The issue of Rohingyas is about ‘illegal non-citizenship holder’ community crossing Indian border to shelter themselves. In NHRC v. State of Arunanchal Pradesh where the migrated Chakmas’ life and liberty was at stake, the Supreme Court held the duty of state to protect life and liberty of citizens and non-citizens. Clearly, India carries no intention to violate the human rights of any community. It seeks for a solution which settles the unsettled Rohingyas as well as benefits this community by providing them rights in their own homeland.
The reports of the Indian intelligence agencies such as RAW cannot be ignored where it is clearly mentioned that Rohingyas could be associated with terrorist activities. Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has been reportedly involved in terrorist activities. Even the attack at BodhGaya was suspected to be the done by ARSA. Where terrorist organizations are backing Rohingyas for settlement in India as well as India being already centre to terror motives of these organizations, accepting Rohingyas would be a big security threat. Rohingyas are deprived of basic human rights and facilities which creates enough aggression amongst them to join terror groups.
In diplomatic terms, healthy India-Myanmar relationship is important for the growth and development of North-East India. Myanmar has been very supportive for India’s constructive motive for NE. Indian Economic balance would be exposed to serious risks if Rohingyas are accepted. Moreover, it may also create internal disturbances.

Myanmar’s Citizenship Law, 1982 refuses to recognize many communities in the country as citizens. Rohingyas are one of them. The basic reasons of such ignorance can be traced back to history. Rohingyas were British supporters and even worked as British army. Despite being expressly written in the Myanmar constitution about equality and peace, there is no particular solution to Buddhist-Muslim rivalries in Myanmar. Also, Su Kyi, the noble peace prize winner who fought bravely against army rule in Myanmar is silent about the Rohingyas. Rohingya community is vulnerable, aggressive and involved in terrorism because they were never accepted in their own homeland in any manner. Their plight cannot be denied or ignored. But the solution lies in the hands of international organizations.

Myanmar is a member of ASEAN countries. Stable countries like India can strongly raise their voice towards solution to Myanmar. Also, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of United Nations. Even the refugee certificate obtained by the 14,000 rohingyas pre-existing in several parts of India quotes that “As refugees, they are persons of concern to the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ….” {see attached photograph}. Clearly, UN must force Myanmar to work on its laws and policies for rohingyas rather than expecting any other country to entertain them. Such force over Myanmar must also be maintained in ASEAN. All the neighbors must unite and strictly seal their borders which would subsequently pressurize Myanmar to take feasible steps. Dalai Lama, being a great and influential preacher of Buddhism could be involved towards solution path making.

It is not at all logical or feasible for India to accommodate Rohingyas. An extremist approach to the issue should not be appreciated at this matter of National importance. India is a secular country where the state does not recognize a specific religion and respects all the faith and beliefs which prevail. India, also seeks humanitarian principles since past which lays the very foundation of the idea of country as it exists. National security is the priority of any country of this world. It is the foremost moral principle. Risking the life of existing citizens, allowing a new set of population which could be a threat to security; all in the name of HUMANITARIANISM cannot be justified.  And moreover, they are ‘refugees’ above religion and hereinafter, “Nation” lies above religion.