Imagine running away from your mother land and ending up in an unknown country with no resources to survive... That’s the state of Rohingya Muslims when they entered our country in 2009. Their journey from Myanmar and living here is no bed of roses. Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims came to the city escaping the communal clashes in their native Myanmar. They came here with the hopes of a better livelihood. Though many opportunities are being provided to them, they lose out on jobs because of illiteracy and language problems.
With hearts in their hands around 1,25,000 Rohingya Muslims had to flee from their country to India during the Rakhine riots. These riots were against this community as natives of Myanmar called it ‘Ethnic Cleansing’. The Rohingya are the world's largest stateless community and one of its most persecuted minorities. When they entered in 2009 it was just 30 of them, but their number increased to around 3,500 by now. There are approximately 60 families living in each camp that they call their colony. They are commonly seen residing in Hafeezbabanagar, Pahadeshareef, Balapur, Mir Momim Pahadi and Kishanbagh areas. They live in small plastic tents with bamboo sticks holding them together. With no proper drinking water facilities and lack of sanitation, these migrants are prone to diseases.
Though Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA) is helping asylum-seekers and refugees, almost 98 per cent of Rohingya Muslims who are illiterate are finding it difficult to get jobs. Rohingya Muslims are treated as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and for this reason, Myanmar denies them citizenship. Many of them staying in India have been given the refugee status. Yet there are many people who still have to receive that. The state of them has fallen to such a place that they are neither willing to go back to Myanmar nor they want to live here in this plight. All they are yearning for is refugee status and proper settlement.
Hyderabad has an estimated of 3,500 Rohingya refugees out of which 1,500 are below 18 years of age. Around 794 children are of school going age and a curriculum is being made for preparing a friendly learning space for children. The government has recently started a school in Balapur just for the Rohingya refugees to keep their children away from falling prey to anti social elements. Recently on his visit to Myanmar Modi took a stance against the atrocities done against Rohingya Muslims. Indian Parliamentary delegation refused to be a part of the Bali Declaration adopted in Indonesia, as a sign of protest. PM urged the entire stake holder to find a solution soon that respects the country’s unity.
Whichever decision the government takes, we all wish for a life of peace to these unfortunate souls. Their lives should be improvised from the roots an education is what makes it possible. And hat off to our state government for providing education and employment facilities to them and helping in making their ends meet.
