‘Decision on refugees narrow minded’

SHILLONG: Salman Khurshid on Saturday denounced the Union government for its double standard on providing shelter to refugees.
Responding to media persons’ queries about the Citizenship Bill here on Saturday, Khurshid said, “On one hand, the government is giving citizenship and on the other, it is not giving temporary place to stay and this shows the government’s narrow-minded attitude.”
The Bill provides citizenship to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh in India but the Centre has denied refuge to Rohingyas migrating from trouble-torn Myanmar.
While admitting that influx and migration of population is a problem in India where resources are stressed, the Congress leader said anybody coming from outside would certainly put more pressure on the economy but it needs to find the right balance.
“India has always helped out the world and being a part of the United Nations, India will have to do some balancing work despite the pressure and India will have to accommodate people who need help on humanitarian grounds,” he added.
India had, in the past, given shelter to refugees from Tibet, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka though it has not signed the refugees’ convention of the United Nations.
Terming the Centre’s decision to turn down Rohingya refugees as “short-sighted”, Khurshid said threat can come from within and outside, but the country needs proper verification, surveillance and proper law and order enforcement for the purpose of security.