The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a stringent directive to all states and union territories, instructing them to identify and deport illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh and Myanmar within the next 30 days. This move, backed by extraordinary powers under relevant national laws, empowers border security forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF) and Assam Rifles to act swiftly, reflecting a heightened focus on India’s internal security.
Officials have described the order as “unprecedented,” marking the first time a fixed timeframe has been enforced for such a large-scale deportation drive. Under the new directive, individuals suspected of being Bangladeshi or Myanmarese nationals must undergo verification within 30 days. If confirmed as illegal entrants, they are to be deported immediately.
Historically, such verification and deportation processes have been protracted, often taking several months as they require coordination with multiple Indian states where the suspects claim residency. However, the new approach aims to bypass bureaucratic delays, making the verification process faster—a move seen as both administratively ambitious and politically charged.
According to MHA sources, the operation is already underway in various parts of the country. In Gujarat, for instance, over 6,000 individuals suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are currently under scrutiny.
Indian authorities have begun pushing back identified infiltrators, including 78 fishermen recently sent to Bangladesh through the neighbouring country’s Satkhira district. Similar actions have been reported along the Tripura border.
However, this aggressive stance has triggered sharp criticism from Bangladesh. Dhaka has lodged formal protests with New Delhi through diplomatic channels, asserting that BSF attempts to repatriate individuals near Brahmanbaria, bordering India’s Tripura, were met with resistance from local villagers.
Bangladeshi authorities argue that many of those being pushed back may not have valid Bangladeshi nationality, accusing India of unilateralism in its deportation policy.
Also read: Bangladeshi couple arrested in Durg for illegal residence
The evolving situation is further straining India-Bangladesh relations, which have already faced turbulence over issues like border skirmishes, water-sharing disputes, and trade imbalances. The aggressive tone of this deportation campaign comes at a time when regional diplomacy is under stress, with India also facing tensions with other neighbours, including China and Pakistan.
Political analysts note that the Indian government’s decision is not merely a border management exercise but also has significant domestic political undertones.
With assembly elections approaching in sensitive border states like West Bengal and Assam, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is positioning itself as a defender of national integrity, often accusing opposition parties—such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and the Congress in Assam—of appeasing illegal immigrants for electoral gain.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have countered by questioning the central government’s accountability, arguing that the BSF—under the control of Delhi—is primarily responsible for border security and that the failure to prevent illegal entry lies with the Union government itself.
They contend that politicising the infiltration issue undermines cooperative federalism and distracts from deeper structural problems in border security.
The complex situation is further complicated by the ongoing Rohingya crisis. India has not granted refugee status to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, instead categorising them as illegal migrants.
As these pushback operations continue and diplomatic tensions rise, India’s ability to balance national security, regional diplomacy, and domestic political interests will be put to a stern test in the coming weeks.
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