Authorities in India’s West Bengal state have intensified a crackdown on undocumented migrants, deporting thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims and detaining hundreds more as part of a controversial “detect, delete and deport” campaign.
The operation began shortly after the state’s new government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), assumed power and announced plans to identify, detain, and remove undocumented migrants living in the state.
According to state officials, nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi nationals have already been deported, while hundreds more remain in detention centres awaiting removal. Authorities have also established holding facilities across the state to process individuals identified as undocumented migrants.
The campaign has sparked concern among human rights advocates and sections of the Muslim community, who fear that the policy disproportionately targets Muslims and could lead to wrongful detentions.
Many of those affected say they crossed into India years ago seeking better economic opportunities. Some migrants voluntarily reported to authorities after reports of increased police operations and growing hostility toward undocumented residents.
“I came here to find work and support my family,” said Raisul Islam, a Bangladeshi migrant who had been living near Kolkata before returning to the border with his wife and children. “We decided to surrender because we feared harassment and possible arrest.”
Others shared similar experiences, describing how they worked in construction and other low-paying jobs before the government launched its latest enforcement measures.
Officials at border checkpoints say hundreds of migrants are arriving daily as authorities verify identities and collect biometric information before deportation.
The crackdown has also strained relations between India and Bangladesh. Dhaka has urged Indian authorities to follow established procedures when determining the nationality of migrants before deportation.
The issue comes amid already fragile diplomatic ties between the two countries following political changes in Bangladesh and ongoing disagreements over the status of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in India after being removed from power in 2024.
Analysts warn that the deportation drive could deepen religious and political tensions in the region, particularly as critics accuse the government of linking immigration enforcement to religious identity.
The West Bengal government maintains that the operation is aimed at addressing illegal immigration and strengthening border security, while opponents argue that the campaign risks targeting vulnerable communities and further polarising relations between neighbouring countries.
