New Delhi, Feb 12 (Bureau) The Supreme Court, while hearing a PIL challenging the Delhi government’s circular prohibiting government schools from admitting children of Rohingya refugees, stated that “in terms of education, there can be no question of discrimination.” A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant reiterated that ‘every child is entitled to education’ but expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavit submitted by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves. The affidavit, filed on behalf of the petitioner NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, listed only the children affected by the circular. The court directed the petitioner to provide a detailed list of parents, including their living conditions and who permitted them to reside in Delhi. “What you have given is a list of children. Forget the children for now. First, we want a list of parents—where they live, how they are living, who permitted them to stay, and the ownership details of their residences,” the court stated, seeking a colony-wise breakdown. The PIL, filed through advocate Satya Mitra, sought to quash the December 23, 2024, circular issued by the Delhi government, which mandated strict verification of student documents to prevent the enrollment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
The petitioner argued that this effectively barred Rohingya children from admission.Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves informed the court that around 1,050 Rohingya refugees reside in areas such as Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, and Khajuri Khas. The court then directed a detailed affidavit specifying their exact locations. The PIL also sought a directive to grant Rohingya children free admission to government schools, allow them to appear for board and university exams without Aadhaar cards, and extend government benefits—including healthcare, food security, and Anganwadi services—on par with the Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries.The Supreme Court had earlier sought details on the residence of Rohingya refugees, asking whether they lived in government camps or regular residential areas. It has now directed the Delhi government, MCD, and the Union of India to file a comprehensive response.