Page 58 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Opinions on Rohingya refugees in India

their earlier benevolent approaches, underscoring a focus be against the resettlement of the Rohingya. Religion also
on countering socioeconomic and security challenges. displayed the same pattern as before. Hindus, who make up
Conversely, in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and the majority of the Indian population, are generally opposed to
the Philippines, where the number of Rohingya refugees resettlement, while Muslims are in favor. Christians, although
is relatively small but empathy is higher, the mean values to a lesser extent, also show support, with the correlation
range from 59 to 75. Given India’s relatively limited being strengthened by religious devotion. Furthermore,
exposure to the Rohingya, with their small numbers and individuals who hold warm feelings toward the Rohingya
dispersed distribution across the country rather than (as discussed in the previous section) also demonstrate a
concentrated in a specific region, one might expect greater higher tendency to support their resettlement. Regarding
empathy. However, the mean value in India is 49, second voter preference, once again, BJP voters (comprising 56% of
only to Malaysia in terms of lower levels of empathy. the respondents) displayed the lowest willingness to resettle
the Rohingya in India (Table A2).
3.2. Support for resettlement
After comparing the levels of willingness to resettle the
The survey asked respondents about their support for the Rohingya in Asian countries where Rohingya migration
resettlement of the Rohingya in India, using a scale of 1 occurs, India falls in the middle with a mean value of 4.2
– 7, where 1 represents “definitely no” and 7 represents (Figure A4). This places India at a similar level to countries
“definitely yes.” The overall mean answer was 4.2, indicating such as the Philippines and Thailand. Among the countries
a neutral stance on average. This suggests that the issue surveyed, Indonesians and Pakistanis show the highest
of resettling the Rohingya is polarizing, as opinions willingness to resettle the Rohingya, while Bangladeshis
vary among the respondents. Analyzing the frequency and Malaysians demonstrate the lowest willingness.
distribution (Figure 2), we find that more people expressed
agreement to varying degrees with the resettlement of the 3.3. Policy preference
Rohingya (combining answers 5, 6, and 7, totaling 55%) When presented with specific policy options on how to
compared to those who expressed disagreement to varying deal with Rohingya refugees, 30% of Indian respondents
degrees (combining answers 1, 2, and 3, totaling 40%). Only expressed a preference for intervention to stop the flow of
5% of the respondents selected the middle option. This refugees, 20% favored repatriation (sending them back to
distribution demonstrates that opinions on the matter are Myanmar), and another 20% supported providing them
diverse, with a notable portion of the population supporting with asylum in India (Figure 3). Notably, 29% of surveyed
the resettlement of the displaced Rohingya people. individuals selected the option “I don’t know,” indicating
When examining the data in relation to demographic uncertainty or a lack of a clear stance on the matter.
variables, similar patterns emerged as in the previous It is important to note that the survey employed a split
question. While the region did not show any correlation, ballot question, meaning that approximately half of the
there were strong correlations with gender and age. This respondents (564 individuals) were asked about the Rohingya
means that men and older individuals, in general, tend to specifically, while the other half (582 individuals) were asked
about refugees from Myanmar in general, considering the
influx of people fleeing the country following the military
coup in 2021. Comparing the responses of these two
groups, no significant differences were found. Both groups
exhibited similar preferences, with 19% favoring asylum,
25% preferring repatriation, 30% supporting intervention
to stop the flow of refugees, and 26% selecting the “I don’t
know” option. This suggests that the attitudes of the Indian
population toward refugees, whether Rohingya or from
Myanmar in general, are not specifically targeted against any
particular group but rather reflect a general stance toward
refugees as a whole.
Since this question was only asked in India as part of the
Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey, comparisons
with other countries are not possible. However, when
Figure 2. Support for the resettlement of displaced Rohingya people in analyzing specific variables, some interesting trends emerge
your country, based on frequencies of responses (Table 2). In terms of gender distribution, more women

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 52 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2174