Paromita Das
New Delhi: Illegal immigration has long been a challenge for Bharat, particularly with large numbers of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators entering the country and settling in various states through forged documents and human trafficking networks. In recent months, the government has intensified its efforts to identify, detain, and deport illegal immigrants who pose security risks and strain the country’s resources.
The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has directed authorities to speed up their operations against the entire ecosystem that facilitates the entry and stay of illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in Bharat. Over the past three months, authorities have detained hundreds of illegal immigrants across multiple states, exposing the scale of the infiltration and the networks aiding these individuals.
Delhi: The National Capital’s Verification Drive Against Illegal Immigrants
Delhi, being the heart of the country, has witnessed a significant influx of illegal immigrants over the years. Under the direction of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Delhi Police launched a massive verification drive in January 2025 to track and expel Bangladeshi nationals who had entered and settled in the city illegally.
During these operations, multiple arrests were made. In the first week of January, eight Bangladeshi nationals were caught in two separate incidents. Some of them had been living in the city since 2012 using forged documents. Further crackdowns on 3rd and 4th January 2025 resulted in the detention of ten more Bangladeshi nationals who had either overstayed their visas or entered the country without valid documentation.
By March 11, 2025, authorities had arrested another five illegal Bangladeshis who had been staying in Delhi with forged Aadhar and ration cards, exposing a deep-rooted network of document forgery. These individuals were allegedly linked to criminal activities, raising concerns about security threats in the capital.
Gujarat: Human Trafficking Racket Exposed
In February 2025, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested and deported 15 Bangladeshi nationals who were found involved in the trafficking of minor girls for prostitution. This shocking revelation confirmed fears that illegal immigration is directly linked to organized crime, making it a pressing issue for law enforcement agencies.
Maharashtra: A Hub for Illegal Immigrants and Fake Documents
Maharashtra has emerged as a major center for illegal immigration, with infiltrators not only entering but also engaging in forgery, criminal activities, and sex trafficking. On March 10, 2025, a Bangladeshi national was convicted by a sessions court in Thane for illegally staying in Bharat under the Foreigners Act of 1946. He admitted to paying ₹20,000 to an agent to illegally enter Bharat.
A series of crackdowns in Mumbai, Nashik, and Thane further exposed the scale of the problem. On March 8, four Bangladeshi women were arrested from a Nashik hotel, unable to provide documents regarding their entry into Bharat. A month earlier, eight Bangladeshi nationals were arrested from a construction site in Nashik’s Adgaon area, with some of them carrying fake Aadhar cards.
In Mumbai, the police arrested 16 Bangladeshi nationals from the Thane region on February 8, and the next day, seven more were detained from Chembur. These continuous arrests shed light on how illegal immigrants blend into the population using fake identities and work in industries such as construction, textiles, and hospitality.
Recognizing the threat, the Maharashtra government has introduced stringent rules for birth and death registrations, making police verification mandatory for issuing certificates. This move is aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining Bharatiya citizenship through fraudulent means.
Odisha: The Growing Numbers of Illegal Bangladeshis
The scale of infiltration in Odisha was formally revealed in the state assembly on March 9, 2025, when Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed legislators that 3,738 Bangladeshi infiltrators had been identified across multiple districts.
Among them,
- 1,649 were found in Kendrapara
- 1,112 in Jagatsinghpur
- 655 in Malkangiri
- 199 in Bhadrak
- 106 in Nabrangpur
- 17 in Bhubaneswar
The Odisha government is now coordinating with the central government to ensure the identification and deportation of these infiltrators.
Rajasthan: Major Crackdown on Rohingyas and Bangladeshis
In one of the largest crackdowns against illegal immigration, the Jaipur Police detained 500 illegal immigrants on January 27, 2025. Among them, 394 were Rohingyas and 106 were Bangladeshis. The BJP-led Rajasthan government has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration, making it clear that those who enter the country illegally will not be allowed to stay.
Karnataka: Security Monitoring and Arrests
In Karnataka, Home Minister G. Parameshwara revealed that 137 illegal immigrants had been identified in the state, including 25 Pakistanis and the rest being Bangladeshis. He assured that their movements were being closely monitored and that strict action would be taken to deport them.
Kerala: Operation Clean Targets Illegal Immigrants
On January 31, 2025, Kerala Police detained 27 Bangladeshi nationals in Kochi under ‘Operation Clean’, a joint effort by the Anti-Terrorism Squad and Ernakulam Police. Some of those arrested were found with forged Aadhar cards, exposing how illegal immigrants have been fraudulently obtaining Bharatiya identity documents.
Earlier that month, another seven Bangladeshi infiltrators were arrested, bringing the total number of arrests in Kerala to 34 in just one month.
Tamil Nadu: Illegal Immigrants Working in Industries
In January 2025, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested 31 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from Tiruppur and Coimbatore. The infiltrators had been working in the textile industry for months, having entered Bharat through West Bengal. Their presence in economically vital industries poses a serious security and economic challenge, as they take jobs away from Bharatiya workers while remaining untraceable to authorities.
West Bengal: A Gateway for Rohingya and Bangladeshi Infiltrators
West Bengal has long been considered the primary entry point for Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators. On January 18, 2025, the Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested three Rohingyas from Sealdah Station in Kolkata as they attempted to travel to Kashmir.
The same month, two more Rohingyas were arrested in Krishnagang, Nadia district. These arrests reveal how illegal immigrants continue to enter Bharat despite security measures, often moving deeper into the country with the help of facilitators.
Conclusion: The Need for Stronger Border Control and Deportation Measures
The recent crackdowns across multiple states confirm that illegal immigration remains a pressing concern for Bharat. From security threats and criminal activities to forged documents and job displacement, the unchecked influx of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators poses a serious risk.
The Union government’s renewed focus on tracking and deporting illegal immigrants is a step in the right direction, but a long-term solution is needed. This includes better border security, stricter verification of identity documents, and stronger laws against those aiding illegal immigration.
As Bharat continues to grow economically and socially, ensuring the safety of its citizens and resources must remain a top priority. The government’s intensified crackdown sends a strong message—that Bharat will no longer tolerate illegal immigration at the cost of national security and stability.
The post Bharat’s Crackdown on Illegal Immigration: A Nationwide Operation to Expel Bangladeshis and Rohingyas appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
