Rohingya Muslims are illegal immigrants, need to be deported: Rijiju

The minister made it clear that he was not going to speak about the legal aspect. I am only responding to the harsh criticism on the issue by human rights groups.

Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju has made it clear once again that Rohingya Muslims are illegal immigrants and need to be deported as per the law. The statements comes in the wake of the Supreme Court hearing a petition by two Rohingya Muslims who sought a directive to the government not to deport them. He also said that the Centre had asked states to get the data and begin the deportation process.

The minister made it clear that he was not going to speak about the legal aspect. I am only responding to the harsh criticism on the issue by human rights groups.

"I want to tell the international organisations whether the Rohingya are registered under the United Nations Human Rights Commission or not. They are illegal immigrants in India and as per law they stand to be deported," he said.

Meanwhile, human rights organisation Amnesty International said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "use his visit to urge the Myanmarese authorities to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to the affected areas". "As a historic friend of Myanmar, India can play an important role in defusing tensions and saving civilian lives.

Prime Minister Modi must urge the Myanmar authorities to address the long-standing and systematic discrimination against Rohingya and other Muslims in Rakhine State, which has left people trapped in a cycle of violence and deprivation," Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, said.

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