Which humanitarian crisis should be prioritised, which words are ‘simple’ enough to avoid hurt feelings, or who is a ‘true Indian’, are not questions warranting court input.
New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, the United States which had received intelligence suggesting that India had launched BrahMos cruise missiles to strike targets inside...
We should recall Bangladeshi exodus into India since 1971 and learn lessons from it. We then had slightly more responsibility compared to the present Rohingya situation because we were seen as the “saviours” of the weaker side. We had no alternative but to be patient with the unwanted burden of refugees because they had faced dire situations in their own country and we had taken upon ourselves to be their “liberators”. Even in a typical family, the “big brother”, poor fellow, gets saddled with unwanted responsibilities which he himself and his children deeply resent. They all, jointly and very vociferously shout against those imposed responsibilities whenever they get the slightest opportunity. But nothing changes, some things remain permanently etched as “facts” of life.
But the fact that we could not unload the Bangladeshi refugees WITHIN A FEW YEARS after 1971 is our failure. If a neighbor’s creeper or ivy dangles onto our side of the wall, we can lift it and put it back on the neighbor’s side. But if it dangles all the way down to the earth, sprouts many more shoots, and the whole thing over time stands like a solid banyan tree and we then “try to get rid of it” and throw it back to the neighbor’s side, then … You know what I mean. That is called foolishness, or NRC exercise in Indian vocabulary, which remains a darling project of the BJP but which will soon become a hot potato in their hands and will scorch their entire party.
Coming back to the issue at hand, that of the Rohingyas, I agree with Seshadari Chari that the government should not allow them to disperse all over the country. Because that was precisely how the Bangladeshi refugees got undetectable over time. They should be treated as “international guests”, and the international community (IC) should be repeatedly reminded that they should help us in sending back these guests. We should not allow them to take up jobs through private agents or construction contractors. Whatever their burden of food and clothing, government should continue to bear it, and for that reason continue to remind the IC about the urgency to find a solution, and in the interim to help us financially through UN aid or some such thing.
If we say that we should be compassionate and accommodate these Rohingyas because they are only 45000, then where is the assurance that another 45K won’t land up in due course, and then yet another installment? They should be treated humanely while the process of finding a solution continues, given basic amenities, food etc, but told clearly that they will eventually have to leave. That is the best a poor people can do for another poor people.
Is it illegal for these refugees to travel within India? It seema its not the case. But the writer is presuming that just because they are Muslims that why they are a security threat. A typical case of using Muslim bashing and misinformation to give a false perception to the overwhelminglu in majority Hindus that they are in danger.
Wow… While Mr author tried his best to act objective by giving space to the UN envoy’s words — he couldn’t resist the core requirement of his original job and moreover, proving true to his name i.e. “King of Serpents” by going full Hasty Generalization.
I’m appalled to read this piece in the Print. Do you really think these poor and persecuted people are threat to national security? Just for the sake of being viewed as “neutral” it’s not right to give space to bigots, in my opinion.
Read the footer disclaimer! Believe It Or Not, I never generally say this unlike many of netizens but..: Full 5 minutes of my life I’m not getting back!
Aapnay ghaar main rakh ley sabkoo phir…baki bharityoon ne theka nahi le rakha samjha.
Bahut gareeb, dukhi log hain. They have faced genocide and war crimes on a scale and intensity analogous to what ISIS has done. We are a tolerant, compassionate nation, have given shelter and refuge to Tibetans in the past. We should make space for these 45,000 souls in our ocean of 1.3 billion.
We should recall Bangladeshi exodus into India since 1971 and learn lessons from it. We then had slightly more responsibility compared to the present Rohingya situation because we were seen as the “saviours” of the weaker side. We had no alternative but to be patient with the unwanted burden of refugees because they had faced dire situations in their own country and we had taken upon ourselves to be their “liberators”. Even in a typical family, the “big brother”, poor fellow, gets saddled with unwanted responsibilities which he himself and his children deeply resent. They all, jointly and very vociferously shout against those imposed responsibilities whenever they get the slightest opportunity. But nothing changes, some things remain permanently etched as “facts” of life.
But the fact that we could not unload the Bangladeshi refugees WITHIN A FEW YEARS after 1971 is our failure. If a neighbor’s creeper or ivy dangles onto our side of the wall, we can lift it and put it back on the neighbor’s side. But if it dangles all the way down to the earth, sprouts many more shoots, and the whole thing over time stands like a solid banyan tree and we then “try to get rid of it” and throw it back to the neighbor’s side, then … You know what I mean. That is called foolishness, or NRC exercise in Indian vocabulary, which remains a darling project of the BJP but which will soon become a hot potato in their hands and will scorch their entire party.
Coming back to the issue at hand, that of the Rohingyas, I agree with Seshadari Chari that the government should not allow them to disperse all over the country. Because that was precisely how the Bangladeshi refugees got undetectable over time. They should be treated as “international guests”, and the international community (IC) should be repeatedly reminded that they should help us in sending back these guests. We should not allow them to take up jobs through private agents or construction contractors. Whatever their burden of food and clothing, government should continue to bear it, and for that reason continue to remind the IC about the urgency to find a solution, and in the interim to help us financially through UN aid or some such thing.
If we say that we should be compassionate and accommodate these Rohingyas because they are only 45000, then where is the assurance that another 45K won’t land up in due course, and then yet another installment? They should be treated humanely while the process of finding a solution continues, given basic amenities, food etc, but told clearly that they will eventually have to leave. That is the best a poor people can do for another poor people.
Is it illegal for these refugees to travel within India? It seema its not the case. But the writer is presuming that just because they are Muslims that why they are a security threat. A typical case of using Muslim bashing and misinformation to give a false perception to the overwhelminglu in majority Hindus that they are in danger.
Wow… While Mr author tried his best to act objective by giving space to the UN envoy’s words — he couldn’t resist the core requirement of his original job and moreover, proving true to his name i.e. “King of Serpents” by going full Hasty Generalization.
I’m appalled to read this piece in the Print. Do you really think these poor and persecuted people are threat to national security? Just for the sake of being viewed as “neutral” it’s not right to give space to bigots, in my opinion.
Read the footer disclaimer! Believe It Or Not, I never generally say this unlike many of netizens but..: Full 5 minutes of my life I’m not getting back!
Aapnay ghaar main rakh ley sabkoo phir…baki bharityoon ne theka nahi le rakha samjha.
Bahut gareeb, dukhi log hain. They have faced genocide and war crimes on a scale and intensity analogous to what ISIS has done. We are a tolerant, compassionate nation, have given shelter and refuge to Tibetans in the past. We should make space for these 45,000 souls in our ocean of 1.3 billion.
“Jonk”??? If not, then how could you miss the footer-info?
Make home for them in your house plz no need to get other to do it for you.