Union Minister Harshdeep Singh Puri was caught in a tight spot after he said that the Government has decided to provide secure accommodation to the Rohingyas—who reached India after fleeing Myanmar—in the national capital: it was a statement that was strange keeping in view the stance of the Government concerning the matter of the refugees. Hours after the Tweet of Mr. Puri, the Home Ministry had to issue a statement in which what the Minister said was denied and it was made clear that these refugees will be kept in the detention centers and sent back where they came from. At the same time, the Ministry lashed out at the media for the reportage on the matter, which, too, was strange.
A popular news outlet before the Tweet of the Minister referred to a decision taken about the matter which was followed by what Mr. Puri said that India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country while referring to some “landmark decision.” There sure was an angry response from the people on social media who reacted to Mr. Puri’s Tweet on the matter, which suggested that the people are not going to be in favor of the decision if at all taken. At the same time, what followed then also depicted that there is a total lack of coordination between the Government and its constituents.
The matter of Rohingyas is sensitive, and the Government has already made its approach clear—something which is in tone with the wishes and aspirations of the people on the ground. In such a scenario what Mr. Puri referred to was not at all going to be in sync with the line of action of the Government which has been acting tough on such issues. At the same time, it needs to be noted here that the Tweet that came from Mr. Puri, if any such decision was taken, should have come from the Home Ministry or the Home Minister himself, but due to the apparent lack of communication and coordination—there was a total overstepping on the matter.
What needs to be pondered upon is the fact that how come Mr. Puri jumped ahead and made such an “irresponsible” statement! With the Home Ministry denying it in toto, does it suggest that the Government is planning to do something concerning the Rohingyas? It very well could be, but shouldn’t the Government make its intentions clear to the general public which has already grown skeptical after the statement of Mr. Puri? As of now, what galore is the lack of coordination and understanding within the Government—something that could prove dangerous when it comes to taking crucial decisions ahead.
