The Supreme Court of India Today (Feb 12) declared that all children, including Rohingya refugees, must receive equal education without discrimination. Hearing a PIL by the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, the Court stressed, “In terms of education, there will be no discrimination.” It asked for proof of residence to explore possible relief while ensuring minors’ safety. The next hearing is on February 28.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today emphasized that all children, including those of Rohingya refugees, should receive equal educational opportunities without discrimination. The Court was addressing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by the NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative.
This petition urged the Court to direct authorities to grant school admissions and government benefits to Rohingya refugees without insisting on Aadhaar cards or considering their citizenship status.
A Bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh briefly heard the matter.
The Court clearly stated,
“In terms of education, there will be no discrimination.”
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioner, highlighted the dire situation faced by Rohingya children.
“These are the persons who are not able to get admissions. It is a desperate situation,”
-he explained.
The Court sought proof of residence for the refugees to determine possible relief measures. However, it advised against revealing any personal details of minor children for safety reasons.
“Don’t tell us about students. Tell us about parents. Where are they staying .. tell us house number, list of families, some proof of where they are … Let us not expose any child. Show us registration numbers, etc. which will enable us to do something. We will see what can be done,”
-the Court stated.
In response, Gonsalves informed the Court that Rohingya refugees possess identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which officially recognize their refugee status.
The Supreme Court indicated that after verifying the residence details of the refugees, it would explore possible relief measures.
“In terms of education, there will be no discrimination. We need to know where they are and then arrange it. We must satisfy ourselves where they are staying and how they are living,”
-the Court reiterated.
The next hearing for the case is scheduled for February 28.
Previously, the Delhi High Court had dismissed a similar plea requesting the Delhi government to grant school admission to Rohingya refugee children who had migrated from Myanmar to India. The High Court suggested that the matter should be addressed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs instead.
“Court should not be a medium in this,”
-the Delhi High Court had orally remarked in October while hearing the case.
A related appeal, Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group vs. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Anr, is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
On January 27, when this appeal was brought before Justices Kant and Singh, the Court allowed the petitioner time to submit details of Rohingya families living in regular residential areas instead of temporary refugee camps.
This plea is scheduled for a hearing on February 17.
CASE TITLE:
Rohingya Human Rights Initiative v. Govt. NCT of Delhi and ors.
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