A lot of concerns have been raised about the problems posed by the mass influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas in India. Pseudo secularists and liberals have gone about demanding the centre to provide the illegal immigrants with home and other necessities without realizing the toll it would take on the authorities and the demographics of the area where illegal immigrants are resettled. However, not paying any heed to their demands different Indian states along with the central government have taken significant steps to flush out illegal immigrants. Assam government is currently working on National Register of Citizens (NRC). It is a list prepared by the government of India to separate authentic Indian citizens in Assam from illegal immigrants. NRC consists the names of Indian citizens of Assam and the list was prepared in 1951. Since the BJP has come to power in Assam, it has restarted the exercise again.
On the lines of Assam, the Jharkhand government is also planning to have a National Register for citizens. The state has considered such a step after receiving complaints of massive influx of illegal Bangladeshis in many districts of Jharkhand. The illegal immigrants are entering in state and also buying the lands belonging to the tribal communities. The problem of illegal immigrants is rampant in districts like Pakur, Jhamtara, Sahebganj and Godda.
“We are also thinking about having a citizen’s register and a team led by senior superintendent of police (Special Branch) Dhananjay Singh has been sent to Assam to study the way that state is carrying out the exercise”, a senior source in the Jharkhand government told MyNation, requesting anonymity.
A Local BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh said, ‘Moving towards a citizens’ register is a very important step. Especially because Bangladeshis — and I’d argue even some Rohingya Muslims — are being settled in Jharkhand as a systematic plan to set up a jihadi corridor in the state”.
The plan of Jharkhand government is in the right direction. Illegal immigrants pose a massive threat to security and safety of India. In recent times, illegal immigration has become a major headache for India and an imminent threat to its national security. This important topic had been sidelined by the Congress party throughout its long rule in the centre. Showing no concern for the residents of the border-states, Congress party and its leaders have been reluctant to take up the issue of illegal immigration. The difficulties faced by the people of the North-eastern states and now by other states also are due to the influx of a large number of Bangladeshis. Earlier, the ever increasing burden of illegal Bangladeshis was never seen as cause for concern. Almost all the North-Eastern states suffered due to the inactivity of the Congress party in this regard.
In fact, their leaders like Shashi Tharoor came out openly against the BJP’s move to deport Rohingya refugees.
Shocked by Govt's decision to deport Rohingya refugees. Ancient humanitarian tradition being sacrificed purely because Rohingyas are Muslim?
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 29, 2017
However, BJP union minister Kiren Rijiju made it very clear that Rohingyas will not be allowed to settle in India. He said, “Rohingyas are illegal settlers and hence there is no question of their staying in India. No country of organization can sermonize India about tolerance and they can certainly not ghost-direct us in matters of refugees. India has been all encompassing force which has allowed settlers and refugees from all across the world to take refuge in it. The Central Government has made its stand very clear in the Rohingya Crisis. Home Ministry has instructed all state governments to make necessary arrangements to send Rohingyas back”.
