Tue Feb 04 14:11:46 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Election Campaign Turns Ugly: Rohingya Refugees Caught in Crossfire of AAP and BJP
**NEW DELHI, INDIA** – The upcoming Delhi assembly elections on February 5th have descended into a bitter battle, with both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vying for votes by targeting the city’s Rohingya refugee community. This has left vulnerable Rohingya families, many of whom have lived in Delhi for years, facing renewed hardship and uncertainty.
The conflict escalated when AAP Chief Minister Atishi issued an order barring Rohingya children from attending Delhi’s government schools. This followed a BJP-led initiative to identify and address “illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,” a move that has disproportionately impacted the Rohingya. Both parties have accused each other of exploiting the Rohingya issue for political gain. The BJP claims AAP is manipulating voter lists, while AAP accuses the BJP of poor border control and using anti-Rohingya rhetoric.
This political maneuvering has devastating consequences for Rohingya families, already struggling with poverty and lack of access to basic services. Many children are denied education, facing discrimination and a bleak future. Even those currently attending school fear losing their places.
Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution in Myanmar, emphasize their desire for safety and a better life, not political involvement. They highlight the immense challenges they face, including inadequate housing, lack of electricity and sanitation, and limited access to healthcare. The ongoing political attacks only exacerbate their precarious situation, leaving them caught in a crossfire with no easy escape.
Experts like Angshuman Choudhary, a PhD scholar studying migrant issues, express concern over the systematic denial of education to Rohingya children, a new low in the ongoing conflict. He notes that this marks a stark departure from previous practices, where some schools allowed Rohingya children admission despite systemic discrimination.
The situation underscores a wider trend of anti-Muslim sentiment in India’s political landscape, where the Rohingya are frequently scapegoated. This is leaving the Rohingya community increasingly marginalized and vulnerable, facing an uncertain future in a country where they sought refuge. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition challenging the denial of education to Rohingya children, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the escalating political conflict.
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