BJP leader accepts burning Rohingya refugee camp in New Delhi

At least 44 Rohingya shanties were destroyed in the fire

A complaint was filed against a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader after he openly admitted to burning a Rohingya refugee camp in the Indian capital earlier this month,

Indian advocate Prashant Bhushan filed the complaint against BJP leader Manish Chandela after the leader admitted to the crime on social media, reported The Indian Express.



Chandela, a youth wing leader for the ruling BJP, deleted his Twitter account following intense backlash and call for action from various Indian groups including the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM). Bhushan, in his complaint, attached screenshots of Chandela's tweets.

Puzzled by the Delhi police's inability to take action against the BJP leader, the advocate in a tweet said, "No action yet by Delhi Police to register a case and arrest him and no action by BJP to remove him from party. State of rule of law under BJP."

On April 15, Chandela tweeted from his account, “Yes, we did it and we do again #ROHINGYA QUIT INDIA.” In a tweet about the fire in Rohingya camp, he replied, “Well done by our heroes,” when asked about it he tweeted. Yes we burnt the houses of Rohingya terrorists.”

My criminal complaint against Manish Chandela of BJYM who proudly boasted on social media that he & his associates burnt down the Rohingya camp. No action yet by @DelhiPolice to register case & arrest him & no action by BJP to remove him from party. State of rule of law under BJP pic.twitter.com/aVd8LDSCUO

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 19, 2018

On April 15, over 225 Rohingya refugees were rendered homeless after a massive fire destroyed their camp in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area. The fire broke out at 3:30 am due to a short circuit, the police said, reported NDTV. No casualties were reported.



A fire department official said that 11 fire engines were rushed to camp and it took more than three hours to control the fire. Around 44 shanties were completely destroyed in the fire. The fire spread fast and most shanties only had plastic sheets as temporary shelters.

The refugees said they lost all belongings including the little money they had.