The apex court directs authorities to ensure access to education and healthcare
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In a significant move, the Supreme Court has ruled that Rohingya Muslim children living in Delhi can now access government schools and hospitals, even without Aadhaar cards or other Indian documents. The court stated that children holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards can approach government schools for admission, and if denied, they can directly seek redressal in the high court.
The decision came on Friday during the hearing of a petition filed by the NGO ‘Rohingya Human Rights Initiative’, which sought directions to the Delhi government to admit Rohingya children into government schools and provide access to healthcare facilities. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasised that no child should be denied education, reiterating a similar order passed earlier on February 12.
“We want the children to first get connected to government schools. If they are not admitted there, they can go to the high court,” the bench told advocate Colin Gonsalves, who represented the NGO. The court also noted that its order aligns with its previous stance on ensuring education to all children, regardless of their background.
Rohingya refugees, many of whom reside in areas like Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, and Khajuri Khas, have long faced challenges in accessing basic services due to the lack of Aadhaar cards. Advocate Gonsalves highlighted their plight, stating, “They are refugees who have UNHCR cards, and they may not have Aadhaar cards. But in the absence of Aadhaar, they are not being given access to government schools and hospitals.”
The court’s decision is expected to benefit around 500 Rohingya children, enabling them to enroll in government schools. “The court can record its direction in its decision, which will clear the way for 500 students to get admission in government schools,” Gonsalves said. He added, “I have been fighting for this issue since 2018, and now with a direct order of the court, 500 students will get admission to schools.”
