As Modi government prepares to implement a nationwide NRC, the illegal immigrants are running to non-BJP-ruled states. In a report on illegal immigrants in Bengaluru, where BJP government is carrying out a crackdown, journalist with the Indian Express Amrita Dutta wrote, “A small minority of migrants has moved to Delhi, Tamil Nadu and other non-BJP-ruled states.”
B.S. Yediyurappa, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Karnataka, is carrying out a massive crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in the city of Bengaluru. BJP government at the centre as well as in states has taken a very tough stance on illegal immigrantion, who are a huge security threat to the country, as per various reports by intelligence agencies.
Some of these immigrants are even travelling back to Bangladesh because, as per confession of an immigrant, “If we are caught in Bangladesh, it’s still okay. We have documents to show, and they will release us eventually. But if we are caught in India….”
According to newspaper reports from Bangladesh, at least 200 people have crossed over into Bangladesh from India and have been arrested in areas bordering the Indian state of West Bengal. Many of these illegal immigrants who were living in India and have now crossed over into Bangladesh are believed to be from the Bengaluru city.
The soft stance of other parties on illegal immigrants is making states ruled by these parties a shelter for them. Various regional parties including AAP and TMC have been very tolerant to illegal immigrants’ issue. In fact, Mamata Banerjee led TMC government is legalizing the colonies of illegal immigrants and providing them ration cards, to neutralize the impact of NRC. It is a known fact how the demography of the state of Assam has changed over the last two decades, owing to lack of steps taken by the previous Gogoi government to check illegal immigration from across the border.
Given the soft stance of the parties, illegal immigrants are moving to non-BJP ruled states. This is an alarming trend, given the security threat due to illegal immigrants; the security of people in the non-BJP ruled states is at stake.
Politicians like Mamata Banerjee, who want to create a loyal vote bank of illegal immigrants, are legalizing illegal immigration, even at the risk of national security, and socio-economic development of the state. In her latest push to legalize illegal immigrants, AITC government is issuing ‘non-subsidised ration cards’, which can be used as identity proof, just like Aadhaar, PAN & voter identity cards.
With the ongoing crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrantion in BJP governed states, they are migrating to non-BJP ruled states.
As per the Indian Express, many of the suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have started migrating from the city following the recent crackdown. Recently, more than 55 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were brought to Howrah Railway Station in Kolkata from the Karnataka Capital, for deportation. Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) S D Sharanappa, who has been charged with the deportation of illegal immigrants, said, “They have been escorted by 30 policemen. We have spoken to the West Bengal Police, the BSF, and are coordinating with the Karnataka Home Department and Union Home Ministry.”
It is important to mention here that recently the Bengaluru Police had cracked down on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in the city. Two camps were raided and a total of 60 people were arrested. Bengaluru Police Commissioner, Bhaskar Rao has also warned against providing shelter and employment to the illegal immigrants.
The BJP has consistently opposed illegal immigration, and the ruling party’s position has only become stronger ever since the party president, Amit Shah was appointed as the Union Home Minister. He has taken a tough stand on illegal immigration which now seems to be resulting in immigrants crossing over into Bangladesh, following a realisation of the fact that the Government of India is no longer going to tolerate illegal immigration and presence of illegal immigrants within India.