‘We Push Them in the Dark’: Assam CM’s Statements and Their Implications
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s appearance on ABP News on April 15 may have triggered a minor diplomatic row, with Bangladesh formally objecting to offensive remarks and summoning India’s acting High Commissioner, but his answers in the interview point to a much more troubling set of issues.
Supreme Court’s Rohingya Remarks ‘Unconscionable,’ Say Ex-Judges, Lawyers
A group of former judges and senior advocates have denounced recent comments made by a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi during a Supreme Court hearing on Rohingya refugees, calling the remarks “unconscionable” and contrary to constitutional values. In a public letter, the signatories said the comments dehumanised vulnerable refugees and undermined the moral authority of the judiciary.
India’s Alleged Secret ‘Rendition’ of Rohingya Refugees
Indian authorities have allegedly “abandoned”—rather than deported—40 Rohingya refugees in international waters near the Myanmar maritime border, forcing women, children and the elderly to swim to safety using life jackets. The action could be seen as a “secret rendition,” a term used to describe the covert transfer of individuals across borders without legal process.
It Makes Sense for India to Welcome Fleeing Bangladeshis
India’s policy on asylum seekers who are escaping political turmoil or persecution, particularly in light of the current unrest at the India-Bangladesh border, needs to be thoughtfully and carefully considered. The ongoing humanitarian crisis, which sees numerous Hindus and other minorities fleeing violence in Bangladesh, not only demands a thorough legal and geopolitical evaluation but also calls for a strong humanitarian and ethical response to help those in dire need.
Mizoram to Central Government: We Won’t Deport Asylum Seekers
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the northeastern state will not engage in the forced deportation of Zo ethnic individuals from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. Since 2022, about 2,000 civilian refugees have sought asylum in Mizoram in response to military operations against a local militia by the Bangladeshi Army. Lalduhoma’s refusal to deport the asylum seekers aligns with the spirit of India’s Constitution.