New Delhi [India], February 12: The Supreme Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding school admissions and government benefits for Rohingya refugees, sought details on their residence proof. The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, emphasized that there will be no discrimination in providing education to Rohingya children. However, it requested information about their current family residence, including house numbers and proof of residence, to evaluate the relief that could be extended.
Justice Kant remarked, “In terms of education, there will be no discrimination. We need to know how they are living, where they are living, in whose house they are living, and what the house number is. We need proof of where they are staying.”
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, informed the court that the refugees possess UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) cards. He requested time to provide the requested details, and the matter was adjourned for further hearing in 10 days.
The bench noted that it would consider extending relief to the refugees once their residence details are submitted. The PIL seeks a directive to allow all Rohingya children admission to schools free of cost, irrespective of Aadhar cards, and to permit them to take examinations, including those for Classes 10 and 12 and graduation, without the requirement of ID proof. Additionally, the petition calls for extending government benefits, such as free health services, subsidized food under the Antyodya Anna Yojana, and benefits under the Food Security Act, to Rohingya families.
Tags: Supreme Court, Rohingya Refugees, PIL, Education, Government Benefits, UNHCR Cards, India, Aadhar Card, Court Hearing, Refugee Rights