New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said an important thing today. The court said that India is not a Dharamshala, it cannot give shelter to refugees from all over the world. The court said this while hearing the petition of a Sri Lankan citizen. That citizen had pleaded to seek refuge in India. The court says that India is already struggling with its large population. In such a situation, it is difficult to keep more refugees. The court advised the petitioner to seek refuge in some other country.
Know the full case?
A bench of Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice K. Vinod Chandran was hearing the case. The Sri Lankan citizen was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of being associated with the Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). LTTE was a terrorist organization. It was once active in Sri Lanka.
In 2018, a trial court convicted him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In 2022, the Madras High Court reduced his sentence to 7 years, but the court said that he would have to leave the country after completing the sentence. The court also said that he would have to live in a refugee camp before deportation. This means that he will have to live in a special camp for some time before being expelled from the country.
What did the petitioner appeal to the court?
The petitioner told the Supreme Court that he had come to India on a visa. He said that his life is in danger in his country. He also said that his wife and children are settled in India. He told that he has been in custody for about 3 years. The deportation process has not started yet. This means that the process of removing him from the country has not started yet.
'We are struggling with 140 crore people'
Justice Dutta replied, 'Will India host refugees from all over the world? We are struggling with 140 crore people, this is not a Dharamshala that we can give shelter to foreign citizens from all over the world.' This means that India is already struggling with its large population. In such a situation, it is difficult to keep more refugees. The court clearly said that India cannot keep everyone here.
'Article 19 is only for Indian citizens'
The petitioner's lawyer raised the matter under Article 21 (Protection of Life and Liberty) and Article 19 of the Constitution. Article 19 gives fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement. Justice Dutta said that the petitioner's detention does not violate Article 21, as he was detained according to the law. The court also said that Article 19 is available only to Indian citizens. The court asked, 'What right do you have to settle here?' In this entire matter, the Supreme Court has given a clear message that India is aware of its borders and resources. The court also said that helping on humanitarian grounds is one thing, but putting a burden on the country is another thing.
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