India makes rapid U-turn on homes for Rohingya refugees after right-wing backlash, says it will deport them instead
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India’s federal government on Wednesday backtracked its housing policy for Rohingya refugees in the capital Delhi following a massive backlash from the right-wing community. On Wednesday morning, India’s federal minister for housing and urban affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced new housing facilities for the ethnic minority refugees from Myanmar. In a landmark decision, all Rohingya refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi.” In a subsequent tweet, he added: “India respects and follows UN Refugee Convention 1951 and provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed.” However, the announcement faced severe backlash from right-wing organisations, including the hardline Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is an umbrella group of Hindu outfits and is an ally of prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Soon after, India’s federal home ministry said in a statement that “Rohingya illegal foreigners” would remain at a locality in the capital southern area as officials chalked out a way to deport them.