Page 53 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Opinions on Rohingya refugees in India

important questions: (i) How does the Indian population compelled to rely on irregular methods of travel (Abbas &
perceive and accept this legal framework? (ii) How do Hemadri, 2022). The majority of them have migrated from
Indians feel about the Rohingya, and what policy option Bangladesh after residing there for a certain period, while
do they favor regarding their status and presence in India? only a minority have directly fled from Myanmar, using
To address the aforementioned questions, the authors Bangladesh as a transit country en route to India (Abbas &
analyzed survey data obtained from the Sinophone Hemadri, 2022).
Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey (2022), a large-scale In India, the Rohingya population is not concentrated
online survey initiated by one of the authors. Only a subset in a single region, unlike the situation in Cox Bazar,
of the data relevant to the objectives of this research is Bangladesh. Instead, they are dispersed throughout
reported in this study, with further details provided in the country. According to UNHCR reports, significant
Section 3. The data analysis was carried out using JASP Rohingya populations can be found in Delhi, Haryana,
software. In addition to the survey data, one of the authors Jammu, and Hyderabad, as well as smaller concentrations in
conducted 50 open-ended and in-depth interviews with Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Rohingya individuals residing in India in 2021 and 2022. and Kerala (UNHCR, 2019; 2020). Figure A1 illustrates
All interviewees were Muslim refugees originating from the population distribution of Rohingyas in India. The
Myanmar and had been registered with the UNHCR. These Rohingya people live in deplorable conditions within
interviews, conducted in the Rohingya language through a their makeshift settlements, or “unauthorized colonies”
translator, took place in various settlements across Delhi, (Chaudhury & Samaddar, 2018). Their livelihoods are
Haryana, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Mathura (areas with a severely restricted by language barriers and security
notable concentration of Rohingya communities). These concerns. They also encounter significant challenges, such
interviews employed a semi-structured approach and as limited access to sanitation facilities, a lack of electricity
utilized the snowball sampling method. For this paper, and clean water, open sewage systems, overcrowded living
only a selected portion of these interviews is utilized as conditions, unhygienic housing conditions, and inadequate
supplementary evidence to complement the findings medical care. Moreover, their lack of formal identification
derived from the survey data. hinders their ability to access banking services or secure
This article is organized as follows: following this formal employment.
introduction, which outlines the analytical framework, In contrast, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees experienced
the situation of the Rohingya in India is described, more favorable treatment from the Indian government,
highlighting the treatment they receive from the Indian particularly in Tamil Nadu. Crucial factors such as religious
government. Subsequently, the perception of the Indian and cultural equality, language, and loyalty played pivotal
population toward the Rohingya, as well as their policy roles in fostering a strong sense of belonging and ensuring
preference toward these refugees, as revealed through data their protection (Refworld, 2010). Sri Lankan refugees
analysis, is presented. Finally, the conclusion summarizes received extensive assistance, including shelter, food, and
the key findings of the study. healthcare (Hans, 1993). The state government of Tamil

1.1. The Rohingya in India Nadu introduced various programs, such as the Integrated
Child Development Scheme, infrastructure development
India currently hosts a population of over 200,000 refugees, initiatives, and 24-h power supply, along with facilitating
including both mandated and non-mandated individuals, access to education and medical facilities (Valatheeswaran
as well as asylum seekers from various countries such as & Rajan, 2011). This commitment to the welfare of Sri
Tibet, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar Lankan Tamil refugees is evident in the allocation of funds,
(UNHCR India, 2022a). As of October 2022, UNHCR the issuance of identity cards, and the provision of essential
India had registered over 48,000 refugees and asylum documents. However, the circumstances of the Rohingya
seekers, with the majority originating from Myanmar community reveal a markedly different situation.
and Afghanistan (UNHCR India, 2022b). Among them,
approximately 18,000 are Rohingya (Foundation London In general, the Rohingya engage in daily wage labor,
Story, 2021), although estimates suggest that their often involving tasks like rag picking or working in
total number in the country is much higher, reaching construction to earn a living. While the UNHCR and
around 40,000 (Human Rights Watch, 2022). The its partner organizations, such as Save the Children (Bal
migration of Rohingya individuals to India is typically Raksha Bharat), Bosco Organization for Social Concern
categorized as irregular due to their stateless status, lack and Operation, Development and Justice Initiative, and
of identification documents, and inability to utilize legal Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, work toward
means of transportation. Consequently, the Rohingya are protecting the rights of the Rohingya and ensuring their

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 47 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2174