Atithi devo bhava? Sure, just not in MY home

According to a survey commissioned by Amnesty International, only 41 percent of Indian respondents believed that its government should do more to help refugees fleeing war or persecution. India ranked a lowly 25th amongst the 27 countries surveyed. Only Thailand (29 per cent) and Russia (26 per cent) are ranked lower than India. China tops the list with 86 per cent while Nigeria is a close second at 85 per cent.

Strategy consultancy GlobeScan carried out a survey of more than 27,000 people and ranked the countries based on their citizens’ willingness to let refugees live in their countries, towns, neighbourhoods and homes. It also created a ‘Refugees Welcome Index’, which was topped by China, with 46 percent respondents from the country expressing a willingness to accept refugees into their own homes. At a meagre six per cent, India ranks 18th.

But 81 percent of Indian respondents would welcome people fleeing war or persecution in their country. India ranks 16th on a list topped by Spain (97 per cent). The lowest acceptance for refugees seems to be in Russia (33 per cent). Indians’ willingness to accept refugees into the country improves India’s rank in the overall ‘Refugees Welcome Index’ to 12th.

That Indians are fine with refugees as long as they are not in their homes is (sort of) good news for the two lakh people seeking shelter in the country. India currently ranks 23rd on a list of countries with the highest refugee populations.