Can’t Make India Refugee Capital Of The World, Don’t Interfere: Centre Tells SC In Rohingya Case

Arguing strongly in the Rohingya refugees deportation case, the government has told the Supreme Court (SC) that it does not want India to become the refugee capital of the world and asked it to let the executive discharge its constitutional duties without judicial interference, the Times of India has reported.

“We do not want India to become the refugee capital of the world. People from every other country will flood our country,” additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta was quoted by the daily as saying.

The apex court is currently hearing a number of petitions seeking to restrain the government from deporting about 40,000 Rohingya Muslims, who are living in different parts of the country.

Responding to a fresh application filed by Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan, which accuses the government of driving away Rohingyas trying to enter the country, Mehta told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra that "there can’t be any leniency” on this issue.

“I am not sure if it is time to throw our gates open to each and every refugee to come and stay in India. There are security concerns and let the matter be handled by the executive," he told the court.

"Is it judicially manageable? Can the SC test the government's policy decision? The executive is attempting to solve this issue through diplomatic efforts. Let the executive be allowed to discharge its constitutional duties without judicial interference," he added.

Bhushan argued that India must welcome the refugees due to its international and humanitarian obligations.

The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has also supported the plea.