The demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes has dealt a double whammy to Rohingya Muslim refugees in Hyderabad. “Once I got to know about this currency problem, I went to State Bank of India, Phisalbanda at 5 a.m on November 15. My turn came at 1 p.m. but the bank officials refused to accept my United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identity card as proof and turned down my request to exchange Rs. 4,000 which were my savings. I don’t have a bank account either so could not deposit the money,” says Noor Alam, with the help of a translator.
Inside the numerous camps in Hafeez Baba Nagar, the refugees from Myanmar, have been forced to dispose of their currency in distress. “I have no money left now. I had Rs. 12,000 which is my life’s savings, I have deposited the money in my employer’s account. Only I know how I am making ends meet,” says Bellal Hussain who has been in Hyderabad for the past four years and works as a watchman.
One of the tragi-comic consequences of the demonetisation has been the rise of domestic violence cases in the refugee camps. “Many women showed bundles of notes that they had saved up for a rainy day. The moment demonetisation happened, the housewives were forced to reveal the money leading to quarrels and fighting in many homes,” says Musa Azmi of COVA, a voluntary organisation that is working with the refugees. “We arranged counselling sessions for many families,” he informs.
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Out of Indian mainstream work force, most of the Rohingya men work as labourers, shop hands, drivers and watchmen. Some of them sell vegetables, while others run small kirana stores.
“I have Rs. 5,000 at home. I am still hopeful that I will be able to exchange it. Otherwise, I will be forced to settle for Rs. 4,000,” says Hajees Fathima, from behind a purdah at Camp no 2 where living conditions are primitive at best.
According to Reserve Bank of India guidelines for demonetisation, only the following identity proofs are acceptable: Aadhaar Card, Driving Licence, Voter ID Card, Passport, NREGA Card, PAN Card, Identity Card Issued by Government Department, Public Sector Unit to its Staff. Most of the Rohingya refugees have UNHCR cards which the bank officials cannot accept. “Nobody among the 3000 odd refugees in Hyderabad have a bank account and that’s the reason we have to depend on others to exchange our money,” says Omaar Saddik, who has mastered Hindi and is now pursuing a proficiency course in English.
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I have Rs. 5,000 at home. I am still hopeful that I will be able to exchange it,Hajees Fathima,Home Maker