Indian authorities have expelled close to 5,000 Bangladeshi nationals from West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decisive victory in the state elections last month. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigned on a platform emphasizing a stringent approach to illegal immigration, pledging to “detect, delete and deport” undocumented migrants.
After assuming office, the new state government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari promptly established detention centers across various districts to hold Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees lacking valid documentation. Speaking in Kolkata on Sunday, Adhikari confirmed that 4,800 Bangladeshi citizens have already been deported, with 836 individuals currently detained and preparations underway for their imminent removal.
Adhikari stated, “We have initiated the deportation of Bangladeshi infiltrators who do not qualify under the Citizenship Amendment Act,” noting that detention facilities were set up in all districts as of May. This crackdown occurs amid longstanding sensitivities surrounding migration across the porous India-Bangladesh border, where movement has traditionally been influenced by economic needs and familial connections. Indian officials have previously referred to such migrants as “termites” and “infiltrators.”
Meanwhile, critics contend that the BJP’s policies and rhetoric have exacerbated the marginalization of India’s Muslim population, which exceeds 200 million, by conflating religious identity with illegal immigration. Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the summary pushbacks of Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh without sufficient legal procedures.
Relations between India and Bangladesh had worsened following the 2024 political upheaval in Dhaka that removed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi. However, ties have shown signs of improvement since a new government assumed office in February. In a significant development, border force chiefs from both countries are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Monday. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has reported thwarting several attempts at forced repatriation.
