Supreme Court Questions Extent of Protection for Undocumented Rohingya Migrants
The Supreme Court of India has once again placed the spotlight on the legal and constitutional status of undocumented Rohingya migrants, raising fundamental questions about the rights available to illegal entrants and the limits of judicial protection. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, expressed strong reservations about extending welfare-oriented rights to individuals who entered the country without legal permission. Supreme Court’s Observation: “Cannot Roll Out a Red Carpet” During the hearing of a plea alleging the custodial disappearance of five Rohingya individuals previously detained by authorities, the bench remarked that courts and governments cannot be expected to “roll out a red carpet” for persons who cross borders illegally. The Court emphasised that while humane treatment is non-negotiable, illegal entrants cannot demand rights on par with Indian citizens, especially when millions of citizens still struggle for basic entit...