Amid increasing international scrutiny over India’s stance on Myanmar and its treatment of refugees, at least 19 Rohingya persons —both Christian and Muslim — were deported to Myanmar on Wednesday, sources revealed.
According to sources in Delhi police, the illegal settlers were taken into custody from the Hastsal and Vikaspuri areas of west Delhi on Tuesday under the pretext of document verification. “They had reportedly been detained for a full day before being herded onto two buses around 11:30 AM on Wednesday and transported to Indira Gandhi International Airport,” said an officer of Delhi police.
The police said the Rohingyas, most of whom have lived on the fringes of the national capital for several years, possessed only identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). For many, these documents have been their only legal recognition amid ongoing political instability in Myanmar and lack of formal refugee status in India.
According to sources in the Intelligence wings, the group of 19 was flown to Myanmar. c
India has not signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, and its policies regarding asylum seekers have often remained opaque. However, deportation of refugees — particularly to a country like Myanmar, currently facing widespread allegations of human rights violations under military rule — raises serious diplomatic concerns.
This marks the first known instance of such an intensive document verification drive targeting the Rohingya Christian community in Delhi. The process began in late February, with police from the Vikaspuri Dossier Cell visiting homes for address verification. In subsequent weeks, individuals were summoned to the Dwarka Dossier Cell, where fingerprint scans were taken and photographs recorded. Some were even subjected to invasive procedures at Indira Gandhi Hospital, including physical identification tests for scars and pregnancy checks for women.
“On May 3, Delhi Police listed 14 names for verification and by May 6, they were told to report to the Vikaspuri Police Station. Those who failed to report were tracked down and detained,” said the officer.
After multiple rounds of questioning, medical tests and fingerprinting — first at Dwarka and later at a facility in Rajouri Garden —19 persons were rounded up on Wednesday morning, placed under tight police security and transported to the airport.
India has deported Rohingya individuals in the past, drawing criticism from international human rights groups and the UN, especially given Myanmar’s political turmoil and the persecution faced by ethnic minorities there.
With the military junta in Myanmar continuing to face global condemnation for its treatment of minorities and pro-democracy activists, this latest development may further complicate India’s diplomatic balancing act between domestic security concerns and its international human rights obligations.
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