United Nations, Oct 29 (NationPress) India has vehemently criticized a human rights report concerning Myanmar, labeling it as biased and communal. The report alleges that the Pahalgam terrorist massacre in April has had an impact on the treatment of Rohingya migrants. BJP MP Dilip Saikia expressed his strong disapproval of the report, stating, “I strongly denounce the biased approach adopted by the SR [special rapporteur] regarding the innocent civilian victims of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, through a biased communal lens.”

Saikia further stated, “The claim that this terrorist attack has influenced the treatment of displaced persons from Myanmar holds no factual validity.” His remarks were in response to allegations from the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, who is a former Democratic politician from the US and currently a professor at Harvard.

“My country categorically rejects such prejudiced and narrow-minded ‘analysis’ from the special rapporteur,” Saikia declared. He is part of India's delegation at the General Assembly.

Discussing the Rohingyas in India, he noted, “We are witnessing an alarming degree of radicalization among these displaced individuals, which is putting pressure on our law and order situation.” The group behind the crisis in Myanmar, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), is led by Ataullah abu Ammar Jununi, a Karachi-born Rohingya.

Back in August 2017, ARSA initiated communal violence against Hindus in Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of 99 individuals—including women, men, and children, alongside numerous abductions, as reported by Amnesty International.

On India's stance towards its neighbor, Saikia called for an immediate halt to violence, the release of political prisoners, unobstructed humanitarian aid, and inclusive political discussions. “We firmly believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through inclusive political dialogue and the prompt restoration of democratic processes via credible and participatory elections,” he asserted.

In his report, Andrews claimed that following the Pahalgam attack, “refugees from Myanmar are facing immense pressure in India, despite no individuals from Myanmar being involved in the attack.” He added a communal aspect to the narrative, stating the attack targeted “Hindu tourists,” although the motives of the terrorists included killing non-Muslims, with victims also comprising a Christian.

Saikia urged Andrews to refrain from relying on unverified and biased media reports, which seemingly aim to tarnish India's reputation, where over 200 million Muslims reside—about 10% of the world's Muslim population.

Special Rapporteurs are unpaid independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor human rights conditions in various countries and do not necessarily represent the views of the Secretary-General or the UN.

Andrews, a former member of the US Congress, now leads the Southeast Asia Human Rights Project at Harvard. He claimed that recent interactions with Rohingya refugees revealed they have been “summoned, detained, interrogated, and threatened with deportation by Indian authorities.” He also alleged that around 40 Rohingya refugees were taken by sea and released off Myanmar's coast, while others faced deportation to Bangladesh.

The Rohingya exodus commenced after ARSA attacked Myanmar security posts in August 2017, triggering a massive military response.