SC questions govt on Rohingya refugees’ access to schools, hospitals
text_fields
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reaffirmed that no child will face discrimination in education while hearing a plea seeking directions to the Centre and the Delhi government to grant Rohingya refugees access to public schools and hospitals. The court scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh stated that it seeks details on where these Rohingya families are residing, under whose shelter, and their personal particulars. The bench emphasized that the principle of non-discrimination in education must be upheld.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, submitted an affidavit with details regarding the refugees, noting that they hold UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) cards. Justice Surya Kant observed that it would be easier for the NGO to provide specific information if the refugees possess these cards.
Gonsalves requested additional time to furnish more details, following which the court posted the matter for further hearing in 10 days.
On January 31, the Supreme Court had directed the NGO to provide details of where the Rohingya refugees were settled in Delhi and the facilities available to them. It also instructed Gonsalves to file an affidavit outlining their locations.
Gonsalves argued that Rohingya refugees have been denied access to public schools and hospitals due to the lack of Aadhaar cards. Since they hold UNHCR refugee cards, they are ineligible for Aadhaar, leading to exclusion from essential services. He informed the court that Rohingya refugees reside in Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, and Khajuri Khas areas of Delhi—living in slums in Shaheen Bagh and Kalindi Kunj, while those in Khajuri Khas stay in rented accommodations.
The court noted that its inquiry into the refugees' living conditions aimed to determine the nature of relief required, as different measures would apply depending on whether they reside in camps or informal settlements.
The PIL urges authorities to grant free education to all Rohingya children, allowing them to participate in all examinations, including Class 10, Class 12, and higher education, without requiring Aadhaar as identification proof. Additionally, it seeks the extension of government benefits, such as free healthcare in government hospitals, subsidized food grains under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, and entitlements under the Food Security Act, to Rohingya families irrespective of their citizenship status.
With PTI inputs