Rohingyas are illegal immigrants not refugees: Rajnath Singh

`We need to understand the reality that Rohingyas from Myanmar who have entered India are not refugees,` Singh said.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Rohingyas, who have entered India after fleeing Myanmar, were not refugees but illegal immigrants who need to be sent back.

"We need to understand the reality that Rohingyas from Myanmar who have entered India are not refugees. In order to get the refugee status, one needs to follow a process. None among them has followed that procedure," Rajnath Singh said, addressing the "National Seminar on Good Governance, Development and Human Rights" here.

Some 40,000 Rohingya Muslims have taken refuge in India and reside in Jammu and Hyderabad.

The Home Ministry on Monday submitted its affidavit in the Supreme Court on the deportation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, calling them a "security threat to India". The court will hear the issue on October 3.