The Rohingya crisis, characterized by the violent persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar, has led to a significant influx of refugees into neighboring countries, including India. Historically viewed as a ‘safe haven’ for refugees, India's approach has evolved, particularly in recent decades.
In the realm of mass media communication, media frames pertain to the methods by which the interpretation of messages is either encourage or discouraged. More specifically, they refer to how information is presented to the public, thereby shaping perceptions and understandings of social issues. In the context of the Rohingya crisis, the media often alternates between depicting refugees as victims of persecution and as potential threats to national security. This duality significantly influences public engagement with the issue.
Certain Indian media outlets have amplified sensationalist coverage of the Rohingya crisis, frequently framing the Rohingya as illegal migrants who pose a threat to Indian society. This narrative fosters xenophobia and Islamophobia, as the Rohingya are predominantly Muslim. By associating the entire community with criminality or illegality, the media cultivates a perception of the Rohingya as unwanted and dangerous, reinforcing public fears and prejudices.
Conversely, some outlets and journalists adopt a more empathetic approach, focusing on the Rohingyas' plight as victims of persecution and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. Humanitarian organizations and progressive media platforms aim to shift the narrative by emphasizing the dire living conditions faced by the Rohingya refugees in India, including their statelessness and lack of access to basic services like healthcare, education, and employment. While this coverage is less frequent, it seeks to humanize the Rohingya and challenge the dominant security-focused narrative.
This article examines how media framing affects public perception of the Rohingya refugees in India, focusing on the interplay between humanitarian and security narratives while considering the political climate and its effects on societal attitudes.
Shifting Perceptions: India’s Refugee Policy and the Rohingya Through a Nationalist Lens
India's historical reputation as a ‘safe haven’ for refugees contrasts sharply with its current policies regarding the Rohingya. In recent decades, particularly under the present political climate, the government has implemented restrictions on the entry and movement of the Rohingya refugees, significantly hindering their ability to find safety.
The contemporary environment not only shapes laws concerning the Rohingya but also influences public opinion, which has largely aligned with the government’s stance. This alignment is evident from survey findings of the Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey (2022), with a nationally representative sample of 1,146 respondents in terms of gender, age, and regional distribution, indicating a rather negative perception of the Rohingya among the Indian populace, particularly in comparison to attitudes toward Muslims in general (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Indian perceptions of the Rohingya among other groups of people
The interaction between media outlets and the government is significant for understanding how public opinion is shaped. When the media amplifies the government’s focus on security risks or economic costs associated with hosting refugees, the public is more likely to internalize these viewpoints.
Media outlets, whether consciously or unconsciously, serve as platforms promoting specific nationalist ideologies. In the case of the Rohingya, this often results in their portrayal as threats rather than victims of persecution. This framing of refugees as ‘outsiders’ or ‘others’ aligns with the broader discourse on nationalism, especially under the current political environment. The portrayal of the Rohingya in media discussions is heavily tied to questions of religious and cultural identity. Most negative sentiments toward the Rohingya come from Hindu communities, who tend to align more closely with the BJP’s nationalistic outlook.
The Role of the Media in Portraying the Rohingya as a Threat
Media framing has significant implications for public responses to the Rohingya crisis. A 2019 analysis by Mumtahin Awny found that major Indian newspapers like The Times of India and Hindustan Times frequently employ the "intruder" narrative, depicting the Rohingya as outsiders encroaching on Indian territory. This portrayal aligns with the government’s framing of the Rohingya as security risks, reinforcing public apprehension and hostility toward the refugee community. Biswajit Mohanty (2020) further notes that visual media, such as television broadcasts and online platforms, have played an important role in constructing negative portrayals of the Rohingya, often highlighting potential links to terrorism or economic strain. This cultivates a public narrative tied to nationalism, further alienating the Rohingya from society.
Religious and Political Divides in Indian Perceptions of the Rohingya
The Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey (2022) provides an insight into Indian perceptions of the Rohingya, revealing a notably negative view influenced by voting preferences and religious affiliations. Hindus, particularly BJP supporters, express the most negative attitudes toward the Rohingya, while Muslims and Christians tend to hold more positive views. Muslims often express solidarity, and Christians show compassion toward the Rohingya, highlighting a significant divide in public opinion.
Negative sentiments toward the Rohingya are exacerbated by their association with the longstanding issue of Bangladeshi migrants, viewed by the government as an economic burden. This framing contributes to the perception of Rohingya refugees as potential threats, influencing public opinion in ways that align with broader trends in other Asian countries experiencing similar migration patterns.
Figure 2: Do you support the resettlement of the displaced Rohingya people in your country (by frequencies of the answer)
Public opinion regarding the Rohingya is often influenced by government and media rhetorics, implicitly or explicitly, rather than by personal experiences with the refugee population. Given the relatively small and dispersed nature of the Rohingya in India, many Indians adopt this narrative, viewing the Rohingya as potential threats rather than individuals in need of assistance. While many do not actively endorse government measures against the Rohingya, there is a noticeable lack of vocal opposition.
Conclusion: Media Shapes Public Perception of the Rohingya
The media plays an important role in shaping public perception of Rohingya refugees in India through its framing of the crisis. The interplay between humanitarian narratives and security concerns significantly influences societal attitudes and policy discussions. Resettling Rohingya refugees has proven divisive, with Hindus generally opposing resettlement while Muslims tend to support it. Notably, BJP supporters exhibit the least willingness to accept Rohingya resettlement, reflecting the influence of party politics on public opinion.
As India navigates its historical role as a refuge alongside contemporary challenges, understanding the impact of media framing is essential for fostering informed and compassionate public discourse. The current environment underscores the necessity of balanced and empathetic coverage, as well as advocacy addressing both humanitarian needs and national concerns. As the situation evolves, the media's responsibility to provide nuanced and accurate portrayals of the Rohingya crisis becomes increasingly vital in guiding public opinion and shaping effective policies.
By Monika Verma
This article is based on the academic paper entitled “Exploring Public Opinions on Rohingya Refugees Residing in India: An Empirical Study,” published in the International Journal of Population Studies in 2024, written by Monika Verma and Kristina Kironska. The full article is available HERE (open access).
Acknowledgement: This work was supported from OP JAC Project “MSCA Fellowships at Palacký University III.” CZ.02.01.01/00/22_010/0008685, run at Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic.