Page 59 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Opinions on Rohingya refugees in India

Rohingya refugees 4. Discussion

20% The survey results revealed that Indians generally hold
29% 1 = Provide asylum negative views toward the Rohingya, with particularly
strong sentiments among old Hindu men. Moreover,
2 = Repatriate
supporters of the BJP also tend to harbor negative feelings
toward the Rohingya. Conversely, Muslims and Christians
21% 3 = Intervene to stop the flow demonstrate a greater level of sympathy, particularly when
of refugees
their religious devotion is strong.
4 = I don’t know
30% In India, both voting preference and religion
significantly influence attitudes toward the Rohingya. The
BJP, as a dominant political party in the country, influences
Myanmar refugees
its supporters to align with their party’s or government’s
stance. Religion also exerts a strong influence: the
19% 1 = Provide asylum
26% majority of Indians, including BJP voters, are Hindus
and often hold negative perceptions of the Rohingya. In
2 = Repatriate
contrast, Muslims and Christians are more likely to have
3 = Intervene to stop the flow positive views, with Muslims expressing solidarity toward
of refugees fellow Muslims and Christians exhibiting a general sense
25% of compassion.
4 = I don’t know
30% India’s overall attitude toward the Rohingya aligns with
that of other Asian countries where significant Rohingya
migration has occurred, although it is less pronounced
Figure 3. Public opinion on India’s position toward the Rohingya and in India. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon.
Myanmar refugees
India’s predominantly Hindu population and the current
government’s affiliation with the RSS (a Hindu nationalist
are willing to provide asylum (22%) compared to men organization known for promoting animosity against
(17%). Conversely, more men express a desire to repatriate Muslims) have contributed to a rise in violence against
the Rohingya (24%) compared to women (16%), and a Muslims, which often goes unpunished.
higher percentage of men wish to intervene to stop the Furthermore, negative sentiments toward the Rohingya
flow of refugees (33%) compared to women (26%). Among can be attributed to their secondary movements through
respondents aged 18 – 25, the most common response was Bangladesh. India has long faced the challenge of a
“I don’t know” (38%), indicating uncertainty. On the other significant influx of Bangladeshi migrants. The Indian
hand, respondents above 25 years of age were more inclined government tends to conflate the issue of Rohingya
to choose the option of intervening to stop the flow of migration with that of Bangladeshi migrants, viewing
refugees. both groups as placing a burden on the Indian economy.
When examining regional divisions, respondents from Consequently, Rohingya individuals are often perceived
Central India were the most inclined to provide asylum as migrants rather than refugees, given their extended
(23%), while those from Northeast India expressed the stay in Bangladesh before arriving in India. Moreover, the
least willingness (6%). Religious identity plays a significant government highlights the religious aspect, distinguishing
role in preferred policy options. The Hindu population between the acceptance of Hindu migrants from Bangladesh
shows a clear preference for intervening to stop the flow and the less favorable treatment of Muslim migrants. Given
of refugees (34%), while Muslims tend to favor providing these circumstances, it is not surprising that the question
asylum to the Rohingya (33%). Christians, Buddhists, and of supporting the resettlement of the Rohingya in India is
individuals of other religions mostly selected the “I don’t a divisive one. Those who tend to oppose their resettlement
know” option. are typically men and older individuals. Among party
affiliations, BJP supporters exhibit the lowest willingness to
Looking at voters of specific political parties, supporters allow Rohingya resettlement in India. Similarly, religious
of the TMC (All India Trinamool Congress) exhibit a affiliation continues to play a significant role, with Hindus
preference for providing asylum, while voters of the BJP leaning against resettlement, Muslims in favor, and
and INC lean toward intervening to stop the flow of Christians, although to a lesser extent, expressing support.
refugees. In addition, those who hold positive sentiments toward

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 53 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2174