India has always been quite accommodating when it comes to its attitude towards refugees. However, over the last few years, the issue has become a major concern as more people across the border are regularly seeking shelter in the country. The refugee crisis first started when Pakistani Partition refugees entered the Indian border in 1971. They were followed by Tibetan immigrants who entered India from North-East in 1959 and since then Chakma and Hajong refugees from Bangladesh, Tamils from Sri Lanka and the latest Rohingya from Myanmar have entered the Indian borders as refugees are creating big problems.
Causes of the refugee crisis in India
On World Refugee Day today, here are some of the causes of the refugee crisis in India:
India is a safe and accommodating country which is why refugees like to flee to the subcontinent to avoid persecution in their native land. Although India never signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter to almost everyone coming from the other side of the border including Afghans, Tibetans, and Bangladeshis.
India is a country with diversity that is home to multiple religions, ethnic natures, and cultures and hence attracts foreigners from the world who find the country acceptable and accommodating for their religious practices and beliefs. That is one of the reasons why India has strong ties with many foreigners and they are drawn to India.
India has an open-door arrangement with Myanmar. Also, the cultural and geographical pattern in this part is the same. That is why a large number of Rohingya refugees have entered the Indian land. Nevertheless, this rise in number is also because the instructions from the Indian government to stop this flow were not followed effectively. Only three Assam Rifles battalions were on the spot when the refugees entered the country and hence they could not successfully combat the inflow.
Many more reasons are responsible for the refugee crisis in India which keeps on increasing as the measures taken to stop them are falling short of requirements.
There are multiple ways of handling this issue like resettlement of refugees, putting an end to trafficking and racism, or opening up safe spaces as a sanctuary for these people. But implementing all these options will need a lot of discussions and follow-ups and is a time taking process.