New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia slammed the BJP-led Centre saying that it was “secretly trying to give permanent residence” to Rohingya refugees in the national capital, and refuted claims of the Union Ministry that it was the Delhi government’s proposal, news agency PTI reported. However, BJP hit back saying illegal migrants are a "threat" to the national security and that the Modi government would never compromise on the issue.
According to the report, without taking names, Sisodia said that Delhi Police and some officials decided to provide permanent residence to the Rohingyas in the city, on the instructions of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and at the behest of the Union government.
They were sending the proposal to Saxena for his approval, without bringing it to the knowledge of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he added.
He further asserted that the AAP dispensation will not let this ‘conspiracy’ of letting Rohingyas settle in Delhi succeed.
Notably, amid a row over the issue, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a clarification refuting any such move and said the Delhi government had proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. However, it has been directed to ensure the "illegal foreigners" remain in detention centres pending their extradition.
Reacting to the ministry’s statement, Sisodia tweeted, “The central government, which was not tired of describing the news (about shifting of Rohingyas) as its achievement in the morning, has now started putting the responsibility of it on the Delhi government after the Aam Aadmi Party opposed such a step.”
“Whereas it is a fact that the central government was secretly trying to give permanent residence to the Rohingyas in Delhi,” he added.
In another tweet, Sisodia said, “At the behest of the central government and on the instruction of the L-G, the officers and the police took decision (to shift Rohingyas) and it (the proposal) was being sent to L-G for his approval, without bringing it to the knowledge of the chief minister and home minister of Delhi.
"The Delhi government will not let this conspiracy to illegally settle Rohingyas in Delhi succeed," he added.
Notably, a controversy erupted after Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri said that Rohingya refugees will be shifted to apartments in Bakkarwala in outer Delhi and provided basic amenities and police protection.
EWS (economically weaker section) flats have been constructed by the New Delhi Municipal Council and located in Bakkarwala area near Tikri border.
"India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all Rohingya Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs & round-the-clock Delhi Police protection," Puri tweeted.
The ruling AAP lashed out at the Centre and termed shifting of Rohingyas a "big threat" to national security.
“With the minister’s announcement, the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands exposed today... This poses a big threat to the national security and to the Delhiites as well,” AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said in a press conference.
“We the countrymen and Delhiites, at least, will not let them settle down here at any cost. No matter what the central government does, we will not let the government allocate flats to them,” he added.
Rohingya migrants are 'threat' to national security: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday asserted that the illegal migrants are a "threat" to the national security and that the Modi government will never compromise on the issue.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia described Rohingyas a "threat to national security" and said, "Arvind Kejriwal is doing the politics of appeasement keeping the national security at bay."
He asked why was it that in the meeting held on July 29, chaired by the chief secretary of Delhi, "a hasty decision was taken that all these infiltrators would be shifted to the houses being built for EWS."
He added that there were news reports in which the facts were "meant to mislead the public.