New Delhi: Forced to flee political instability, violence and the fear of persecution in Myanmar, a student living in India as a UNHCR-recognised refugee has approached Delhi High Court after his application for an undergraduate course at Delhi University was deemed incomplete for want of a passport.At the heart of the case is the question of whether a recognised refugee who, according to the plea, cannot obtain a passport from the country he fled can be denied the opportunity to seek admission solely for failing to produce that document.The petitioner, Henry Htoo Aung Lin, has challenged DU’s rule requiring foreigners seeking undergraduate admission to possess a valid non-Indian passport, arguing that applying the condition to recognised refugees is arbitrary and discriminatory.Delhi High Court has sought the university’s response. During the hearing, the court asked DU’s counsel, “How can you expect a passport from a refugee?” The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 13.Citing the pending court proceedings, DU officials declined to comment on the matter.The petition has been filed by Henry through advocates Ashok Aggarwal and Kumar Utkarsh. “The plea challenges the passport requirement stipulated in Delhi University’s Foreign Students’ Registry Admission Bulletin, arguing that it unlawfully excludes recognised refugees who, by the very nature of their status, cannot obtain passports from the countries they fled due to persecution,” Aggarwal said.He added, “The petitioner has sought directions to either strike down or read down the impugned condition and direct the university to consider his application for admission under the foreign students’ category without insisting on the production of a passport.”According to the petition, Henry and his family fled Myanmar in 2022. Since then, they have been residing in India under the protection of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.Henry completed his schooling in India and sought admission to DU for the 2026-27 academic session. On May 28, 2026, he submitted his application through the university’s Foreign Students’ Registry, but it was considered incomplete. The petition states that Henry subsequently made representations to the university, requesting that his UNHCR refugee documents be accepted as an alternative to a passport.According to the plea, his request did not result in any relief, prompting him to approach the high court against a requirement that is impossible for recognised refugees in circumstances such as his to fulfil.
