His remarks came two days after UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein condemned India's decision to deport Rohingyas to Myanmar where they have faced persecution
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju hit out at those criticising the government's decision to deport Rohingyas staying illegally in the country, and said it is a "calibrated design" to "tarnish" India's image.
Based on several assessments made by intelligence agencies, the government reached a conclusion that Rohingyas could be a security threat as they are vulnerable to be recruited by terror groups.
"This chorus of branding India as villain on Rohingya issue is a calibrated design to tarnish India's image. It undermines India's security," Rijiju said in a tweet on Wednesday. His remarks came two days after UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein condemned India's decision to deport Rohingyas to Myanmar where they have faced persecution.
Another Minister of State in the Home Ministry, Hansraj Ahir, said on Wednesday that keeping Rohingyas in India will create law and order problems.
"If they stay here permanently, who will protect the citizens?" he asked.
Rohingyas are a Muslim minority of Myanmar who have fled to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and India to escape violence.
The Supreme Court had on September 4 sought the view of the government on a petition challenging its decision to deport illegal immigrants back to Myanmar.
The government told Parliament on August 9 that, according to available data, more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UNHCR, are presently staying in India.
According to unofficial estimates, there are nearly 40,000 Rohingyas in India, largely located in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.
In August, the Home Ministry wrote to state governments, urging them to identify illegally staying Rohingyas and deport them. Detection and deportation of such illegal immigrants from Myanmar's violence-hit Rakhine state is a continuous process, the Home Ministry communication to states said. "Therefore, it is essential to identify them and keep a watch on their activities for preventing any untoward incident that can take place."
Government sources also say that that the Rohingyas need to be deported, keeping in mind certain strategic reasons.
The government's stand has been that infiltration of Rohingyas from Rakhine into Indian territory, especially in recent years, besides being a burden on the limited resources of the country, also aggravates security challenges posed to India.
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