Roma expulsion from France unfortunate: Vayalar Ravi

NEW DELHI - The mass expulsion of the Indian-origin Roma people from France was unfortunate, said Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi Sunday, adding “I am hoping they will revisit the matter”.

“The expulsion of the Roma people by the French government is quite unfortunate but I am hoping they will revisit the matter,” Vayalar Ravi told IANS.

Ignoring protests from the UN, Amnesty International and other human rights groups, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ordered mass expulsion of Roma migrants after incidents of riots and rising crime were blamed on them.

More than 8,000 Roma people have already been deported this year, with France paying them 300 euros per adult and 100 euros per child.

The Roma people - also called gypsies - claim their roots in north India from where they were enslaved and taken away by invaders from Afghanistan and Turkey almost a millennium ago.

In the 14-15th centuries they scattered across central and eastern Europe where they have allegedly faced systemic discrimination.

Actor Charlie Chaplin and Nobel Laureate scientist August Krogh are among the hundreds of famous Roma people who have made their mark in various fields.