When India became independent in 1947, it had an adult literacy rate of 16 percent and a poverty rate of 90 percent.
In the 1950s, the country was already overcrowded and had scarce resources, but despite all these factors, took in hundreds of thousands of Tibetan refugees. There were no complaints or protests from anyone about the fact that so many refugees were coming to live in a poor country. The Tibetan community has thrived in exile in India, with little help from the Indian public or government.
In 1971, when there was a genocide in East Pakistan, 10 million refugees came to India, and this prompted many people to go to West Bengal and set up relief camps and help these people.
Compare this reaction to European politicians and the media. I agree that not every single migrant arriving on European shores is a refugee fleeing conflict, but then again, the racist language and rhetoric against genuine refugees is just sickening.
In the 1950s, the country was already overcrowded and had scarce resources, but despite all these factors, took in hundreds of thousands of Tibetan refugees. There were no complaints or protests from anyone about the fact that so many refugees were coming to live in a poor country. The Tibetan community has thrived in exile in India, with little help from the Indian public or government.
In 1971, when there was a genocide in East Pakistan, 10 million refugees came to India, and this prompted many people to go to West Bengal and set up relief camps and help these people.
Compare this reaction to European politicians and the media. I agree that not every single migrant arriving on European shores is a refugee fleeing conflict, but then again, the racist language and rhetoric against genuine refugees is just sickening.
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