Atishi: Centre relocated Rohingyas to Delhi without prior consultation
The controversy over the settlement of Rohingya refugees in Delhi has erupted into a political flash point with the Delhi Government accusing the BJP-led Central Government of relocating these refugees without prior consultation.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday alleged the Central Government had kept both the Delhi Government and its citizens “in the dark” about the issue.
“Delhi is not even close to any international border and is thousands of kilometers away from Bangladesh. How did these immigrants reach Delhi after crossing multiple states without being detected?” Atishi wrote.
She further accused the BJP of systematically relocating Rohingyas across India, including Delhi, and questioned whether this was done deliberately. “Were these illegal immigrants transported to different parts of India by the BJP government itself in a systematic manner, keeping the people of India in the dark?” she asked.
AAP settled them in national capital
No Rohingya migrant has been given a govt house in Delhi. In fact, contrary to the drummed-up AAP rhetoric they are actually the ones who play host to the illegal Rohingyas in Delhi, have settled them in large numbers, give them electricity and water, and even pay them Rs 10,000.Rs
— Hardeep Puri, Union Urban Development Minister on X
She demanded a detailed list of the Rohingyas relocated to Delhi, including their specific addresses, and insisted that no further refugee settlement should take place without consulting the Delhi Government and its people.
The letter also referred to a tweet from Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, dated August 17, 2022, which mentioned the relocation of Rohingyas to Delhi. “India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision, all Rohingya refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in the Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs, and round-the-clock Delhi Police protection,” the tweet read.
“This clearly shows that it is a conscious decision and policy of the BJP government to settle these refugees in Delhi,” she added.
The CM also alleged that the flats allocated to the refugees were originally intended for the economically weaker section (EWS) of Delhi’s own population. “From the tweet of Hardeep Puri, it seems they were settled into EWS flats of Bakkarwala. These flats were meant for the poor people of Delhi. It appears that the rights and facilities meant for the people of Delhi are being given away to migrants,” she wrote.
Atishi concluded her letter with a demand for greater accountability, stating, “On behalf of the people of Delhi, I demand that no illegal refugees should be settled in Delhi in future without consulting the people and government of Delhi.”Atishi also demanded that the Centre provide a complete list of Rohingyas settled in Delhi.
