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International Journal of
Population Studies Opinions on Rohingya refugees in India

and exodus in 1978, 1991/1992, 2012, and 2016, it was in by government officials has a profound influence on how
August 2017 that the Myanmar military initiated a brutal the public perceives and responds to these policies.
campaign against them. This campaign involved ethnic The media emerges as a crucial intermediary in the
cleansing and crimes against humanity and exhibited relationship between state policies and public opinion
genocidal intent (Human Rights Council, 2019), resulting and also often plays a crucial role in disseminating
in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing refugee and reinforcing government messages (Bennett, 1993;
crises to date. Boomgaarden & Vliegenthart, 2009; Esses et al., 2013;
The Rohingya migration has been documented Scheufele, 1999). Negative and sensationalized portrayals
in several countries, including Bangladesh, Thailand, contribute to the reinforcement of stereotypes, while
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, responsible reporting has the potential to promote empathy
Pakistan, and India (Adiputera & Missbach, 2021; (Schuck & de Vreese, 2009).
Hoffstaedter, 2017; Jalil & Hoffstaedter, 2023; Stange et al., The Narrative Policy Framework provides a valuable
2019). While numerous studies have been conducted on lens for analyzing the intricate relationship between state
the Rohingya population in Myanmar and Bangladesh, policies, narrative elements, and public opinion regarding
including surveys on public perception, limited research immigrants and refugees (Shanahan et al., 2011). Existing
has been conducted on the Rohingya in India (Cheesman, literature demonstrates the importance of considering
2017; Dussich, 2018; Mallick, 2020; Milton et al., 2017; government narratives, media amplification, and policy
Ullah, 2016). This article aims to fill the gap in the existing feedback in understanding the dynamic interplay that
literature by shedding light on this understudied aspect. shapes public attitudes.
Previous scholarly work on the Rohingya has primarily
focused on socioeconomic, political, and legal issues. In the expansive discourse surrounding the influence
For instance, Madhura Chakraborty’s research (2015) of state policies on public attitudes toward immigrants and
examines the socioeconomic aspects of the Rohingya’s refugees, the majority of research has been predominantly
lives in their settlements within India (Chakraborty, 2015). conducted in Western contexts. A notable gap persists in
Parveen (2018) and Sahoo (2017) have addressed India’s the research landscape, particularly when considering the
exclusionary policies toward the Rohingya and how these South Asian region. The narratives, framing strategies, and
policies have exacerbated the already dire situation faced policy feedback mechanisms that may be prevalent in this
by the Rohingya (Parveen, 2018; Sahoo, 2017). To bridge region remain largely unexplored, representing a crucial
the gap in the literature, the article focuses on the Indian gap in the existing academic understanding. Recognizing
(national) public opinion regarding the Rohingya issue this void, our research endeavors to fill this gap.
and how state policies influence public opinion regarding India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention
refugees. or the 1967 Protocol, which are specifically designed to

Governments, as architects of immigration and refugee address the status and issues faced by refugees. In addition,
policies, hold a pivotal role in shaping public attitudes. India does not have any domestic refugee laws in place.
Scholars such as Entman (2012) and De Vreese (2005) Consequently, refugees are not officially recognized as
have delved into the intricate ways in which government a distinct group, and there is a lack of legal protection
narratives and framing strategies mold public opinion to safeguard them against exploitation and abuse. This
regarding refugees. These narratives encompass diverse situation leaves refugees vulnerable to various forms
facets, including policy goals, portrayals of refugees, of mistreatment, including exploitation, violence, and
and the perceived consequences of immigration. State limited access to employment, education, and healthcare.
policies extend beyond their regulatory function, The treatment of refugees in India tends to be ad hoc
playing a profound role in constructing public discourse and varies based on the country’s political and security
(De Coninck, 2019). Immigrants can be framed either circumstances. While the office of the United Nations
as valuable economic contributors or potential security High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recognizes
threats, eliciting distinct public reactions (Iyengar, 1990). the Rohingya as refugees, according to Indian laws and
Moreover, research conducted by Schweitzer et al. (2015) the policies of the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led
reinforces the idea that both realistic and symbolic threats National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, this
are integral components of the integrated threat theory. stateless community is considered “foreigners” or “aliens”
Their work sheds light on the multifaceted nature of who have unlawfully/illegally migrated into the country,
prejudice, contributing to a broader comprehension of posing a threat to India’s internal security (Dutta, 2017).
societal attitudes toward refugees (Schweitzer et al., 2005). Rohingyas are subject to the Foreigners Act of 1946, and
In essence, the framing of immigration and refugee issues the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1929. This raises

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 46 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2174