A sweeping police crackdown on Rohingya refugees in Delhi has sparked outrage, with reports of arbitrary detentions, forced biometric verification, and coercion spreading across multiple settlements. The operation, which began on February 24 in Shaheen Bagh, saw law enforcement officials rounding up refugees without explanation, subjecting them to racial slurs and threats of deportation. Many were forcibly taken to police stations, made to sign documents in unfamiliar languages, and detained at undisclosed locations without legal representation. The crackdown extended beyond Shaheen Bagh, with distress calls emerging from other refugee settlements across the city. Legal experts argue that the police actions blatantly violate constitutional protections under Articles 14 and 21, as well as Supreme Court rulings on biometric data collection and due process. Instead of following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for refugees, the authorities have resorted to intimidation tactics, pushing an already vulnerable community further into fear and instability.
The crackdown has triggered a humanitarian crisis, as landlords, fearing legal trouble, have started evicting Rohingya tenants. In Kanchan Kunj, many families have been forced into homelessness, living in precarious conditions with no access to basic amenities. Women and children, already at high risk of exploitation, now face an increased threat of human trafficking. Human rights lawyer Ujjaini condemned the police’s heavy-handed approach, emphasizing that their actions reflect humiliation rather than law enforcement. According to the 2019 SOP issued by the Union government, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is responsible for assessing refugee claims and recommending long-term visas (LTV) for those fleeing persecution. However, despite annual biometric data collection, the legal status of Rohingya refugees remains unaddressed, leaving them in a perpetual state of limbo. Civil society organizations have raised concerns over the government’s failure to provide legal protections, instead subjecting refugees to unpredictable crackdowns that further exacerbate their suffering.
The deteriorating situation in the Rohingya settlements, particularly in Madanpur Khadar, highlights the state’s neglect and disregard for humanitarian obligations. Despite a Supreme Court directive in 2018 mandating basic amenities for refugees, little has been done to improve their living conditions. A devastating fire in 2021 left dozens of families homeless, forcing them to seek shelter on Zakat Foundation land. Yet, they continue to live in makeshift tarpaulin structures with no access to clean water, sanitation, or electricity. Now, the police have escalated their pressure tactics, forcing families who had secured rented accommodations in Kanchan Kunj to vacate their homes and return to the hazardous conditions of refugee camps. These coercive measures not only defy Supreme Court orders but also contravene India’s international commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What began as a biometric verification exercise has turned into a full-scale campaign of harassment, eviction, and economic marginalization. Without immediate intervention and accountability, Rohingya refugees in India will remain trapped in a cycle of fear, discrimination, and statelessness.
