Minister for Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri's Rohingyas tweet has created a massive and yet again started a war of words between the Aam Adami Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Hardeep Puri Rohingya tweet has fueled the AAP vs Centre row with the Arvind Kejriwal-led government accusing the Modi government of secretly giving permanent residence to the refugees. Notably, AAP's accusation came despite the fact Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a clarification over the ongoing Rohingyas issue.
Now, for those who are still puzzled, Minister for Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri on August 17 took to his Twitter handle and stated that the Government of India in its landmark decision has decided to shift the Rohingyas to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. Furthermore, he added that the Rohingya refugees will be provided basic amenities, IDs, and even Delhi Police protection. Furthermore, Puri lashed out at the oppition for painting the Central Government as anti-minority and inducing fear among the people over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs & round-the-clock protection.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri)
Following this, a massive row broke out with the Aam Aadmi Party protesting against the government of India. In fact, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia quoted Hardeep Puri's tweet and wrote, "The centre, which was not getting tired of listing this news as its achievement in the morning, is now trying to lay the blame on the Delhi government after the AAP's protest. Whereas it is a fact that the central government was secretly trying to give permanent residence to the Rohingyas in Delhi."
केंद्र सरकार सुबह सुबह जिस खबर को अपनी उपलब्धि बताती नहीं थक रही थी, आम आदमी पार्टी द्वारा विरोध किए जाने पर , अब इसकी ज़िम्मेदारी दिल्ली सरकार पर डालने लगी है.
जबकि हक़ीक़त है कि केंद्र सरकार चोरी छुपे रोहँगियाओं को दिल्ली में स्थाई ठिकाना देने की कोशिश कर रही थी. 1/2— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia)
After the Rohingya row yet again intensified, the Ministry of Home Affairs refuted Hardeep Puri's claims on Ronhingyas. MHA in its statement wrote, "With respect to news reports in certain sections of media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi."
The Ministry of Home Affairs also revealed that it was the Delhi Government of Arvind Kejriwal who proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. "Govt of Delhi proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. MHA has directed the GNCTD to ensure that the Rohingya illegal foreigners will continue at the present location as MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through MEA," wrote MHA.
With respect to news reports in certain sections of media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia)
Interestingly, Arvind Kejriwal's old letter was shared on Twitter by multiple BJP leaders showing that the Delhi CM had earlier advocated shifting the Rohingyas to the same location. Gautam Gambhir took to his Twitter handle and lashed out at the Delhi CM saying, "Today Delhi’s shameless CM is completely exposed. He sent a letter asking for flats in Bakkarwal for Rohingyas & is now doing what he’s known for - GUTTER LEVEL POLITICS."
Today Delhi’s shameless CM is completely exposed. He sent a letter asking for flats in Bakkarwal for Rohingyas & is now doing what he’s known for - GUTTER LEVEL POLITICS
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)
It is pertinent to mention here that Union Minister Hardeep Puri later backtracked from his Rohingya tweet and stated that what the MHA is true. "Home Ministry’s press release with respect to the issue of Rohingya illegal foreigners gives out the correct position," wrote Hardeep Puri.
Home Ministry’s press release with respect to the issue of Rohingya illegal foreigners gives out the correct position.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri)