Chaini Parwani –
Published on: November 30, 2021 at 11: 26 IST
The Supreme Court on Monday acknowledged a Petition pleading to guarantee food security for the refugees and asylum seekers, which include Afghans, Rohingyas, and people from other nations residing in India.
A Bench comprising of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna directed the Centre on a Plea seeking Food Security for Refugees as Right to Food is covered under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The petitioner, Advocate Faizal Abdali who appeared in person, stated that as per his knowledge there are no schemes currently available to provide them food during the Pandemic. Further while asking Abdali to not appear himself but through his Advocate-on-Record the Bench issued notice on his Petition.
Furthermore, Advocate-on-record Amiy Shukla representing Abdali highlighted that Refugees are entitled to the Right to Food but currently there are no schemes available.
It came into light that the economic fall from the COVID-19 situation has accelerated the food insecurity being faced by refugees and asylum seekers and failures of the State to take necessary steps to reduce their problem.
Abdali highlighted in his Plea that as per the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) factsheet of January 31, there are 2,10,201 refugees and seekers residing in India, who are in different parts of the country including in Delhi, Haryana, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana, Manipur, and Mizoram.
Furthermore, the Petition pleaded direction to provide free dry rations to all the refugees and asylum seekers who are registered with the UNHCR without requirement of any kind of documentation. The Petition also prayed to the States and Union Territories to appoint a Nodal Officer with whom the refugees and asylum seekers can connect in case of non-availability of basic amenities.
