In what can be seen as a not-so-Modi-style decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stepped in with the decision to provide Rohingya refugees apartments and police protection in the Bakkarwala area of Delhi. As per the reports, the decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the ministry of home affairs
The controversy: Hardeep Singh Puri’s tweet
In a tweet, India’s Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, informed the country about the reallocation of Rohingya Refugees in Delhi. The news set the political corridors abuzz. Puri informed that all Rohingya Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in the Bakkarwala area of Delhi and will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs & round-the-clock Delhi Police protection.
Those who made a career out of spreading canards on India’s refugee policy deliberately linking it to #CAA will be disappointed.
India respects & follows @UN Refugee Convention 1951 & provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed.@MIB_India @NBirenSingh pic.twitter.com/6jyMl9dJ7Q
— Hardeep Singh Puri (मोदी का परिवार) (@HardeepSPuri) August 17, 2022
BJP supporters came down heavily on Hardeep
The decision drew the ire of even those who are firm BJP supporters. Being staunch supporters of the BJP, their disappointment led them to vent out their anger on Twitter. They began replying to Puri’s tweet to criticise him for such a shameful decision to provide flats to Rohingya illegal immigrants s instead of deporting them to their country.
Atul Mishra, Founder of TFI, tweeted, “This government can’t enforce CAA but can easily resettle #Rohingyas. Shame.”
In a follow-up tweet, he wrote, “This government is dead.”
This government is dead. https://t.co/zr0xTx1bQU
— Atul Kumar Mishra (@TheAtulMishra) August 17, 2022
Shefali Vaidya, author, and a staunch BJP supporter, also tweeted, “What about the Hindu refugees from Pakistan rotting in tents without water, power and toilets for years now? Any humanitarian concerns for them?”
What about the Hindu refugees from Pakistan rotting in tents without water, power and toilets for years now? Any humanitarian concerns for them?
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) August 17, 2022
Another BJP supporter Arun Pudur also took to Twitter to question the government about Rohingyas. He tweeted, “Rohingyas have massacred Hindus. They have threatened Hindus even in India on record. They need to be deported. Pakistani and Bangladeshi Hindus & Sikhs are still without roof. Why not provide them?”
1) Rohingyas have massacred Hindus. They have threatened Hindus even in India on record. They need to be deported.
2) Pakistani and Bangladeshi Hindus & Sikhs are still without roof. Why not provide them? pic.twitter.com/sDQM6K8x0G
— Arun Pudur (@arunpudur) August 17, 2022
Ajit Datta, author and political commentator, also tweeted, “We are not a signatory to this.”
We are not a signatory to this 🤦 https://t.co/9xODzSWYSe
— Ajit Datta (@ajitdatta) August 17, 2022
Also Read: So, Modi government is afraid of the UNHCR? Not very superpower-y
HMO’s damage control
After being on the receiving end of public outrage, the government decided to do damage control. In an attempt to clear the air, through a tweet, HMO stated that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.
With respect to news reports in certain sections of media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 17, 2022
It further claimed that Govt of Delhi proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location and MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through MEA.
The whole development has led people to bite their nails. One thing is clear, the government’s clarification is nothing but the result of people’s protest against the former’s decision to provide flats to Rohingya illegal immigrants. There must have been some miscommunication between the ministry and Hardeep Singh Puri or it is also possible that the government has backed out from its decision and is playing backfoot. However, whatever the truth may be, one thing is clear: Hardeep Singh Puri’s irresponsible tweet has disappointed many BJP supporters.
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