Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AFP

In recent weeks, Indian authorities have expelled hundreds of ethnic Bangalee Muslims to Bangladesh, claiming they were “illegal immigrants”. However, many of them say they are actually Indian citizens living in states close to Bangladesh.

Who Reported This?

This information comes from a new report by Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organisation. They said India is sending Bangalee Muslims to Bangladesh without giving them proper legal rights or a chance to prove their citizenship.

What Did Human Rights Watch Say?

Human Rights Watch said that since May 2025, the Indian government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has increased its operations to send Bangalee Muslims to Bangladesh. The government says this is to stop people from entering India without permission. However, Human Rights Watch believes that many of these people are actually Indian citizens who have lived in India for generations.

Quote From Human Rights Watch

Elaine Pearson, the Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said,

“India’s ruling BJP is fueling discrimination by arbitrarily expelling Bengali Muslims from the country, including Indian citizens. The authorities’ claims that they are managing irregular immigration are unconvincing given their disregard for due process rights, domestic guarantees, and international human rights standards.”

How Many People Were Interviewed?

In June, Human Rights Watch spoke to 18 people, including those who had been expelled and their family members. They spoke about nine different cases. Some people managed to return to India after being sent to Bangladesh, while others are still missing, and their families are worried.

Did Human Rights Watch Contact the Government?

Yes. On July 8, Human Rights Watch wrote to India’s Ministry of Home Affairs to share these findings. However, the ministry did not respond to them.

How Many People Have Been Expelled?

The Indian government has not officially shared any numbers. But according to Border Guard Bangladesh, between May 7 and June 15, India expelled more than 1,500 Muslim men, women, and children to Bangladesh. This also included about 100 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Reports say these expulsions are continuing.

What Did the Expelled People Say?

Many people who were expelled shared painful experiences. Some said that officers from India’s Border Security Force (BSF) threatened them and beat them up. A few people said they were forced to cross the border at gunpoint.

What Did the Government Order Say?

In May, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs told all state governments to detect, identify, and deport “illegal immigrants” within 30 days. The government also asked local authorities to set up holding centres in every district to keep people until they could be deported.

After this order, many BJP-run state governments started arresting Bangla-speaking Muslim migrant workers. Some of these people had been working in these states for many years.

Why Are These Expulsions Happening?

The Indian government says it wants to protect its borders from illegal immigration. Bangladesh shares a long border with India, and many people cross the border daily for work, trade, or family visits. However, Human Rights Watch says that not everyone being expelled is an illegal immigrant. Many are Indian citizens but are being sent away only because they speak Bangla and are Muslim.

The Problem of Due Process

Under Indian law and international human rights standards, every person has the right to a fair process before being deported. This means:

• They should be told why they are being deported.
• They should get a chance to show their documents and prove their citizenship.
• They should not be beaten or forced to leave without proper orders.

However, Human Rights Watch says none of these rules were followed in these recent expulsions. Many people were sent away without any notice or court hearing.

Who Are the Bangalee Muslims?

Bangalee Muslims are people who speak Bangla and follow Islam. Many Bangalee Muslims live in Indian states like Assam, West Bengal, and Tripura. Their families have lived there for decades, even before India and Bangladesh became separate countries in 1947 and 1971.

What Is the Impact on Families?

These sudden expulsions have created fear among Bangalee Muslims living in India. Some families have been separated, as only some members were caught and deported. Children have lost parents, and wives have lost husbands who were working to earn for their families. Many deported people are struggling in Bangladesh as they have no home, money, or relatives there.

What Should The Government Do?

Human Rights Watch has asked the Indian government to:

• Stop deporting people without proper investigation.
• Give everyone a fair chance to prove they are Indian citizens.
• Protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their religion or language.
• Follow both Indian law and international rules to treat people with dignity.

These deportations are not just numbers. They are stories of real people – mothers, fathers, children, and workers – who are suddenly thrown out of their homes and country. Every government has the right to protect its borders, but it should not punish innocent citizens or act without fairness. The world is watching how India treats its people, and respecting human rights is important for every country’s dignity and strength.