These days even more than the Myanmarese leaders, political parties in our country are discussing the Rohingya issue. From the stand taken by the political parties, one can easily make out that on the Rohingya issue they are clearly divided in two groups. But it’s not an ideological divide. The divergent stands of the political parties of our country are clearly aimed at garnering votes. While one section is trying to please the majority population by taking an anti-Muslim stand, the other group is trying to appease the minorities by terming the deportation attempt as inhuman and against the ethos of India.
As per the accepted norms and supported by United Nations (UN) a group of people can be called as refugees when they had to leave their land and belongings for reasons beyond their control. And once such displaced people move to another country they cannot be pushed back to their own land without the consent of that concerned country. So no matter what stand Indian political parties take, the Rohingyas, who have entered our country as refugees cannot be deported. Thus arguing in favour of their deportation or advocating for their stay in the country means nothing because that will not change the ground reality. It will only create more uncertainty for the Rohingyas. Only the Rohingyas will have to live with the fear of being displaced once again.
Thus it is not right for the political parties of our country to use the Rohingyas as a mean to achieve bigger electoral gains. Rather all the political parties of the country should approach the Myanmar Government jointly to make conducive atmosphere so that the Rohingyas can return to their own land. If required, India can play the role of a mediator to solve this crisis. Talks that Rohingyas having links with Muslim fundamentalist and terror organization is just an attempt to divert the attention of the people from the real issue. The allegations made by the Myanmar Government may be true. But the remedy of this problem lies in alienating those radical elements, not in throwing the entire community out of their homeland. The act gives an impression that the Myanmar Government is actually helping a handful of people who can be best described as the enemies of mankind. This act of the Myanmar Government cannot be justified by any stretch of imagination.
It is certain that during his recent visit to Myanmar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed the Rohingya issue with the top leaders of that country. Though both sides are tightlipped about the discussion, it would not be unwise to guess that the Indian Prime Minister had categorically told Myanmar to solve the issue at the earliest, so that India is not burdened with another group of people who had to leave their homeland for reasons beyond their control. Political parties of our country should keep it in mind that to resettle the Rohingyas in their own land they should put pressure on the neighbouring country together. But if they decide their stand on this issue keeping an eye on electoral gains, they are not only harming the Rohingyas only, but also going against humanity.
