Stateless, Not Voiceless — The Rohingya in India
Across India, thousands of Rohingya refugees live in legal limbo—displaced, undocumented, and largely forgotten. In this short film from the PAIGAM series, "The Rohingya in India: Stateless, Not Voiceless," we learn about the lives of people who have fled unspeakable violence, only to encounter new layers of exclusion and precarity in the places they hoped would offer safety.
The video walks us through the legal history and present-day realities facing Rohingya communities in India—many of whom remain invisible in public discourse but are very much present in our cities and neighborhoods. It also invites us to reflect on our shared responsibilities: in India, where the Constitution and dharmic values offer a framework for justice; and across the diaspora, where our vision of India is too often shaped by nostalgia or nationalism, rather than the lived experiences of the most vulnerable.
This is not only a question of what kind of nation India should be. It’s also a question for those of us abroad: What kind of India do we want to flourish? What role can we play in ensuring that the India we support is one that lives up to its highest ideals—of pluralism, compassion, and equal dignity for all?
We invite you to watch the video and explore the discussion guide below—whether you're in Delhi, New York, London, or Kuala Lumpur. These conversations belong to all of us.
Discussion Guide: The Rohingya in India — Stateless, Not Voiceless
This short video opens a window into the lives of Rohingya refugees—people whose experiences often remain invisible in Indian public life, and even more so in the diaspora imagination. Whether you're a student, a faith leader, a civil society member, or someone simply trying to better understand the world around you, we invite you to use the questions below to spark conversation, reflection, and action.
🔹 Understanding Displacement
What stood out to you most in the video?
What does it mean to be "stateless"? What are the day-to-day consequences of having no legal identity or citizenship?
How do the experiences of the Rohingya challenge or complicate popular narratives of India as a land of refuge?
🔹 Responsibilities in India
India’s Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law to all persons, not just citizens. How does that apply to the Rohingya?
What should be the role of Indian civil society, courts, and local communities in addressing the needs of refugees?
In what ways can dharmic principles like ahimsa (nonviolence), karuna (compassion), and atithi devo bhava (the guest is divine) help guide how we treat displaced people?
🔹 Responsibilities in the Diaspora
How do conversations about the Rohingya—or about refugees more broadly—show up in your diaspora community, if at all?
Many of us abroad support or celebrate India in different ways—culturally, politically, financially. What responsibilities come with that support?
How can diaspora communities center the voices and realities of vulnerable groups in shaping their vision of India?
🔹 From Awareness to Action
What role can schools, religious institutions, or community organizations play in raising awareness about statelessness and displacement?
What small, practical steps could individuals or collectives take to stand in solidarity with the Rohingya community?
Are there local or global groups working on refugee justice that you can support, collaborate with, or learn from?
🕉️ Closing Reflection
The way we treat the most marginalized reveals who we truly are—as individuals, as communities, and as nations. The story of the Rohingya is not only about them—it is also about us. How we see them, how we speak about them, how we act.
In India, are we living up to the promises of our Constitution? In the diaspora, are we holding onto a version of India that includes everyone—or just the privileged few?
Let’s keep asking, keep listening, and keep choosing dignity.