The right balance: 

The right balance: 

Context:

The Supreme Court’s observation that there is a need to balance human rights with national interest in the Rohingya case, and that there is a case for   “holistic” hearings, is most welcome.

Introduction

• India ought to engage Myanmar on the Rohingya crisis; expelling refugees will diminish its stature on the global stage.
• Even after LTTE was banned as a terrorist group in India following the 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination, there were several influxes of Sri Lankan Tamils through the Tamil Nadu coast.
• No Rohingya presently living in India has been blamed for any terrorist act.
• Indian security agencies believe the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA)-Myanmar began referring to it officially as a terrorist group only at the beginning this year’s violence in August- has links with Pakistani jihadi groups, but they have not said the group is operational in India, unlike the LTTE, which was present and operating out of several places in the country.

The Supreme Court judgment:

• The Supreme Court has deferred the deportation of Rohingya Muslim refugees from India till its next hearing on November 21.
• Till then, the Rohingya petitioners can approach the Supreme Court in case of any contingency.
• The Supreme Court reminded the government that it has multiple responsibilities, and must balance national and humanitarian values.
• It said the Rohingya Muslims issue is of great magnitude and the state has a big role to play.

Illegal immigrants:

• There are thousands of illegal Indian immigrants in Europe and the US today, but the term cannot be legally or morally applied to people fleeing Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
• Crossed international borders without documents, looking for better economic opportunities.
• If there was no military operation in Rakhine, and Rohingya were flooding India, arguably a case could be made out for using the term, applied usually to those who have crossed international borders without documents, looking for better economic opportunities.
• The Rohingya have never had papers as they have been denied citizenship of the country where they lived, they fled to save their lives.
• In May 2012, there were clashes between Rohingya and Rakhine Buddhists, in which thousands of Rohingya had to abandon their burning villages.

Why Myanmar is important?

• Myanmar is critical for maintaining stability and peace in Northeast India.
• Some Northeast Indian insurgent groups operate out of bases across the border.
• Therefore, responding to the groups mandates cooperation and consent of the Myanmar army.
• The current Indo-Myanmar meeting is an attempt to assuage above concerns and ensure continued cooperation between the two militaries on counter-insurgency issues.
• In additional to security issue, Myanmar is a fast growing economy and is a land bridge to Southeast Asia is prompting Indian leaders to reach out to the country.

Conclusion:

There is a need to support the efforts of the Bangladesh Government to provide immediate aid to the half million
people. There is also an urgent need to reverse the situation, stabilize
the region and help them to return home.