Is there neglect of human rights or an anti-Muslim policy in India?

India has long been regarded as a beacon of humanity and compassion. From welcoming Tibetan refugees to offering shelter to those fleeing violence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the country once stood tall as a symbol of hope for the vulnerable. But today, that same India seems to be veering off a path it once proudly walked. Its current refugee policies are not just raising eyebrows—they're invoking global outrage. A recent harrowing incident involving over 40 Rohingya refugees forcibly removed from a naval vessel and left adrift in the Andaman Sea reveals a deeply troubling shift in the nation’s conscience.

Rohingyas thrown into the sea

On the night of May 6, 2025, an incident came to light that not only shook human rights but also raised questions about India's constitutional and moral responsibilities. Rohingya refugees living in fragile settlements across Delhi and Assam were suddenly and forcefully detained by local authorities. There were no clear charges, no legal explanations. Among them were infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses like cancer. Many even held valid UNHCR refugee cards—proof of their identity and vulnerability. Yet, under the cover of night, they were taken to detention centers with no warning.

Two days later, on May 8, things took an even darker turn. These detainees were transferred to Port Blair. According to credible reports from rights groups like Fortify Rights and eyewitnesses, they were blindfolded, their hands tied, and deceitfully told they were being sent to Indonesia. Instead, they were taken deep into the Andaman Sea aboard an Indian Navy vessel, handed life jackets, and left in the open water—helpless, terrified, and betrayed.

A mother clutching her baby to her chest, trying to stay afloat against powerful waves. An elderly man too weak to stand, now forced to swim toward an unknown shore. This isn't a scene from a dystopian film—this is the terrifying reality faced by people India has refused to protect. The United Nations has called this act a “crime against humanity” and a direct violation of the international law of non-refoulement.

“This isn’t just the Rohingya’s story. This is the story of a nation losing its moral compass. India must be held accountable.” – Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur

Who Are the Rohingya? and Why Are They Fleeing?

The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority native to Myanmar’s Rakhine state. But in their own country, they are treated as outcasts. Denied citizenship, stripped of basic rights like education and healthcare, and subjected to systemic persecution, their existence has been reduced to survival.

In 2017, Myanmar’s military launched a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya. Entire villages were torched. Thousands were killed. Women were raped. Children were burned alive. What followed was one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory. The United Nations termed it a “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing.”

Fleeing certain death, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya crossed borders into Bangladesh, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. Around 40,000 are believed to be living in India—mostly in Delhi, Jammu, Assam, and Hyderabad—where they succeed in slums without proper housing, employment, or legal protection. And yet, they clung to a fragile hope: that India, a country known for its humanity, would treat them with dignity. That hope now lies shattered.

India’s Refugee Policy: Humanity Held Hostage by Politics

In recent years, India has increasingly portrayed Rohingya refugees as “illegal infiltrators” and “threats to national security.” The current government, often associated with right-wing Hindutva ideology, has taken an especially hardline stance. The Home Ministry has repeatedly declared in Parliament that Rohingya pose a risk to national safety—but without presenting concrete evidence.

This raises a haunting question: If Rohingya are such a threat, why were Tibetan and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees embraced with compassion? Is India’s refugee policy now being shaped by religion? Rights advocates argue that anti-Muslim sentiment, fuelled by political rhetoric, is driving the Rohingya crackdown. Laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have only reinforced the fear that the Indian state is prioritizing non-Muslim refugees while pushing Muslim ones to the margins.

This is not merely a policy failure—it is a moral failure. It reveals a mindset that sees vulnerable people through the lens of religion rather than humanity. This mindset tarnishes India's secular legacy and undermines its credibility on the global stage. Do we really want to live in a country that casts sick children and frightened mothers into the sea, just because of their faith?

The Supreme Court’s Silence: Justice Withheld

Multiple petitions were filed before the Supreme Court, urging it to intervene—demanding the safe return of the Rohingya, their protection, and compensation. But the court dismissed these pleas. Justice Surya Kant’s bench labeled the petitions as “fabricated narratives,” stating that the nation was going through difficult times and the judiciary shouldn’t entertain such matters.

The court further noted that the right to reside in India belongs only to citizens and that non-citizens, including the Rohingya, must be dealt with under the Foreigners Act. But does any law anywhere in the world permit tossing children and pregnant women into the ocean? Does India’s Constitution—particularly Article 21, which guarantees the right to life to every individual, citizen or not—exist only on paper? The court’s silence is not just disheartening; it threatens to dismantle the very foundations of justice and human rights in India.

International Law and India’s Growing Vulnerability

India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, but that does not absolve it of moral and legal responsibility. The principle of non-refoulement—which forbids returning refugees to countries where they may face serious threats—is considered binding under customary international law. Forcibly sending Rohingya back to Myanmar, where their lives are at risk, is a blatant violation.

If these allegations are proven true, India could face significant global backlash, including scrutiny from international bodies and potential diplomatic consequences.

World is Watching—India Must Act?

The United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Fortify Rights have all condemned the treatment of Rohingya refugees and called for a transparent investigation. They’ve urged India to work with the UNHCR to provide legal aid, healthcare, and essential services to those in need.

But instead of engaging in dialogue, the Indian government has chosen silence. And the judiciary has turned its back. Today, the spotlight is on India—a country that leads the G20 and aspires to global leadership. With leadership comes responsibility. If India fails to address this crisis with integrity and humanity, its global image could suffer irreparable damage.

What Can We Do?

The Rohingya crisis is not just about one community it is a reflection of India’s soul, its values, and its global commitments. This is the time to ask ourselves: Do we want to be citizens of a nation that abandons the helpless at sea? Do we want to be part of a society that discriminates based on religion and shuts its doors to the suffering?

The government must investigate this incident transparently, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure the safety and dignity of the Rohingya. But the responsibility doesn't lie with the government alone—it is ours, too. As citizens, we must raise our voices. Speak out on social media. Discuss this with friends and family. Demand answers from our leaders. Because when governments and courts fall silent, it is the people who must speak for humanity.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Spread this truth. Share this article. Let’s take a stand for justice, for dignity, and for the simple right to live.