New Delhi: The Supreme Court stated on Wednesday that no child should face discrimination in education, while scheduling a hearing next week on a petition requesting the government of India and Delhi governments to grant Rohingya refugees access to public schools and hospitals in the city.
The court inquired about the specific locations where these Rohingya families are residing, asking for details about their living arrangements and personal information. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasised that no discrimination should occur in education.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, informed the court that an affidavit has been filed with the necessary details and highlighted that the Rohingya refugees hold UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) cards.
Justice Surya Kant noted that it would be easier to provide the required particulars if the refugees possess these cards. Gonsalves requested additional time to submit further information to the court. The court adjourned the matter for further hearing in ten days.
On January 31, the Supreme Court had asked the NGO to clarify where the Rohingya refugees are located in Delhi and what services are available to them. The court also directed Gonsalves to file an affidavit indicating their settlement areas in the city.
Gonsalves explained that the NGO is seeking access to public schools and hospitals for the refugees, as they have been denied access due to the lack of Aadhaar cards. “They are refugees with UNHCR cards, so they cannot have Aadhaar cards, but they are being denied access to services because of this,” he argued.
Gonsalves further stated that the refugees live in areas like Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, and Khajuri Khas in Delhi, with those in Shaheen Bagh and Kalindi Kunj residing in slums, and those in Khajuri Khas living in rented accommodations.
The court had asked these questions to determine if the refugees were living in camps, as this would affect the relief provided, which might differ from the one requested in the petition.
The petition seeks a direction to the authorities to grant free education to all Rohingya children, regardless of Aadhaar cards, and to allow them to sit for examinations such as Classes 10 and 12 and graduation without requiring ID proof.
It also requests the extension of government benefits like free health services, subsidised food under the Antyodya Anna Yojana, and entitlements under the Food Security Act for Rohingya families, similar to those available to other citizens.
