Won't discriminate against Rohingya kids for school admissions: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that there should be no discrimination when it comes to educating children and that applies to children of Rohingya immigrants who are finding it difficult to get admission to schools [Rohingya Human Rights Initiative v. Govt. NCT of Delhi and ors]..The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative seeks directions to ensure that school admission and government benefits are given to Rohingya refugees without any insistence on Aadhaar cards and irrespective of their citizenship status. The matter was briefly heard today by the Bench of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh."In terms of education, there will be no discrimination," the Court made it clear. .In terms of education, there will be no discrimination.Supreme Court.Representing the petitioner organisation, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves said that Rohingya refugees are facing a desperate situation."These are the persons who are not able to get admissions. It is a desperate situation," he said.The Court, meanwhile, sought details showing proof of where they reside presently to examine what relief could be extended, adding that it is better not to disclose personal details about minor children."Don't tell us about students. Tell us about parents. Where are they staying .. tell us house number, list of families, some proof of where they are ... Let us not expose any child. Show us registration numbers, etc. which will enable us to do something. We will see what can be done," the Court said.Gonsalves replied that Rohingyas hold cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that recognise their refugee status..The Court indicated that it will look into how it can extend relief once details confirming the residence of the refugees are submitted."In terms of education, there will be no discrimination. We need to know where they are and then arrange it. We must satisfy ourselves where they are staying and how they are living," the Court said..The matter will be heard again on February 28..The Delhi High Court had earlier refused to entertain a similar plea seeking directions to the Delhi government to grant school admission to children of Rohingya refugees who had come from Myanmar to India.The High Court had instead suggested that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs could be approached on this issue."Court should not be a medium in this," the High Court had orally observed while hearing the matter last October.An appeal in the matter (Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group vs. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Anr) is presently pending before the Supreme Court.When this appeal came up before Justices Kant and Singh on January 27, the Court had allowed the petitioner's request for time to file the particulars of Rohingya families residing in regular residential areas instead of restricted makeshift camps. That plea is due to come up for hearing on February 17..[Read Live Coverage]