Refugees entitled to fundamental rights: Owaisi

September 18, 2017 23:50

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi today claimed the affidavit filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court over the Rohingya issue may not stand the legal scrutiny as refugees are also entitled to fundamental rights.

"Any policy of a government will be questioned by the Supreme Court if it is violating fundamental rights. The refugees are entitled to the protection of fundamental rights of Article 12 and 14.

"That is why I say it has no legal leg to stand. It's an old propaganda of this government," he told reporters Hyderabad.

In its affidavit, the Centre said Rohingya Muslims are "illegal" immigrants in the country and their continued stay posed "serious national security ramifications".

The affidavit also said the fundamental right to reside and settle in any part of the country is available to citizens only and illegal refugees cannot invoke the jurisdiction of the SC to enforce the right.

"The affidavit which has been filed today by the government, I am of the opinion, it is an old government agenda and propaganda. It is rehashed and it has no legal leg to stand. It is violative of Article 12 and 14," the Hyderabad MP said.

Owaisi said his party feels that the Rohingyas issue should be seen as a humanitarian and not a Muslim issue.

"As far as my party is concerned, we are of the firm opinion that the Rohingya issue should not be looked as a Muslim issue. It is a humanitarian issue," he said.

"These people have run away from their country to save themselves from a terrorist, Myanmarese military government and to send them back would be a great travesty of justice. I hope that day does not come," the AIMIM chief said.

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