‘‘ We lived with fear in Afghanistan, it was no less than hell, growing up seeing death in the eye. The Namaaz- e – Janaaza (Prayer offered for deceased people before their burial) was just like any ordinary namaz for us. Here in India, we may not find our Kabul, but we are living in peace. Despite hardships, we have managed to rebuild our lives”, said Marghulala Zainab, a 62-year-old Afghani woman dressed in a white Pashtun dress.
She had a pale face, her eyes were green, and in them, you could easily read the misery of her life. She fled from her home in 2015 in order to protect her daughters from atrocities, and in hope of a better life.
I met her at the Bosco center, in Wazirabad area of North Delhi. Bosco is a part of Don Bosco Global Network, spread across 135 countries, that runs educational institutions along with vocational and technical training centers, essentially for the benefit of displaced people.
Not A Burden, Refugees Are Contributors too!
Refugees are often considered as an economic burden for the countries that have them in, but recent studies say that refugees receiving aid can provide their host country’s economy a substantial boost. When refugees are provided opportunities to interact with the economy around them, they can create a positive income spillover for their host countries. Many refugees choose to start their own business.
These businesses can provide jobs to the native population as well. Refugees often bring skills, knowledge, and resources with them. They do not remain helpless if the host government allows them to work, study, and be a part of the communities where they live. Accepting refugees is not just charity, it shows solidarity and should be seen as an investment. Retention of refugees also depends on how compatible and adaptable their culture is with their host countries.
Legal Status of Refugees in India
India is neither part of the 1951 Convention on Refugees nor that of the 1967 Refugee Status Protocol. The status of refugees in India is mainly governed by political and administrative decisions. Different state-governments’ approach has led to the varying treatment of different refugee groups. Some groups are granted a full range of benefits including legal residence, whilst others are criminalized and denied access to basic social resources.
The legal status of refugees in India is governed by the Foreigners Act 1946 and the Citizenship Act 1955. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is based in Delhi. At present over 150,000 Tibetans, 90,000 Sri Lankans and many more foreign nationals, having fled violence and persecution, live as refugees in India. These groups are accommodated and assisted in accessing education and health services
Tibetans who arrived in the late 1950s and early 1960s were accorded refugee status by the Indian Government, these Tibetans were issued registration certificates. Although the Indian Government continues to allow Tibetans to enter the country, it has not provided them the same legal status as the first wave of Tibetans was given. They were provided with residence permits, formal employment, travel permits when they came initially. Indians and Tibetans generally co-exist peacefully, there are no traces of communal violence between these two communities.
Sri Lankans are not given any special status in India as they are considered illegal migrants under the Foreigner’s Act. Sri Lankans who are considered to be a threat to the national security are deemed to be militants and are being held in special camps in Chenglepetor. Each refugee receives a monthly stipend there.
Somalians constitute the largest African community in India, they are also considered migrants. “I enjoy peace here but face deportation and racial discrimination”, said 24-year old Andrew Jacob, who had left Somalia a year back. He came to India to pursue higher studies.
Afghanistan is also recognized under the UNHCR mandate. The Indian government has issued Afghan refugees with valid residence permits. This helps them afford a certain amount of legal protection. Newly recognized Afghan refugees receive a small subsistence allowance for the first six months of their stay in India. Many Afghans are running shops or working as salespersons in India, while education is open to all Afghan children.
Why Shouldn’t We Be Humane to Rohingyas too?!
There are roughly 50,000 Rohingyas in India and our attitude towards them has ranged from appalling, to less than humanitarian. Our initial response towards them was highly disgraceful. As mentioned above, it is clear that India has had a proud humanitarian record of granting asylum to persecuted groups. “We don’t want to return to Myanmar, though we are living in vulnerable conditions here, but somehow we will manage”, said Shaheen Fatima, who I met at the Kalindi Kunj camp for Rohingyas, where their living conditions are pathetic.