People from the Rohingya community are at the centre of a political slugfest between the AAP and BJP yet again as Chief Minister Atishi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah Sunday accusing the Centre of settling “a large number of illegal Rohingya” in different parts of Delhi.
Referring to a 2022 tweet by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Atishi wrote, “From the post of Puri, it seems they were settled into Economically Backward Class flats of Bakkarwala. These flats were meant for the poor people of Delhi. It appears the rights and facilities meant for the people of Delhi are being given away to migrants.”
In response, Puri took to X Sunday saying, “Aam Aadmi Party continues with its politics of diversion, false narratives and half-truths. Facts and actual position on illegal Rohingya migrants were immediately clarified through a tweet on the same day which they selectively chose to ignore, and continue to do so”. He added, “No Rohingya migrant has been given a government house in Delhi. In fact, contrary to the drummed-up AAP rhetoric, they are actually the ones who play host to the illegal Rohingyas in Delhi, settle them in large numbers, give them electricity and water, and even pay them Rs 10,000”.
New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj joined the rhetoric: “It is highly unfortunate that the CM is misleading citizens on such a sensitive issue to hide the failures of her government. No Rohingya illegal migrant in Delhi has been allotted an EWS house. If, as Chief Minister, she is unaware of these facts, it is a matter of serious concern. And if she is aware, I appeal to her to stop spreading misinformation and creating divisions”.
The issue of illegal immigrants has gained prominence with the Assembly polls around the corner.
Earlier, the BJP had approached the Election Commission alleging that illegal immigrants were registered as voters in Delhi “at the behest of AAP”.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, questioned why the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre helped Rohingya settle in the national capital and robbed Delhiites of their rights and resources. Referring to a purported remark of Shah, Kejriwal said, “If Amit Shah says states are now responsible for border security, is the central government admitting its failure to protect India’s borders?”
Last week, the Delhi L-G Secretariat directed a special drive to identify and take strict action against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in the city.
Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, meanwhile, demanded that the National Register of Citizens be implemented in Delhi to identify and deport such illegal immigrants.
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