Rights Groups Accuse India of Forcible Deportation of Muslim Citizens to Bangladesh

Key Takeaways

• Over 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, deported from India to Bangladesh since May 2025.
• Indian Air Force now transports detainees, increasing military involvement in immigration enforcement.
• Human rights groups report forced deportations without due process, risking statelessness and abuses.

India’s Deportation Drive: Muslim Citizens Forcibly Sent to Bangladesh

India’s recent campaign to detain and deport thousands of alleged illegal immigrants, mostly Muslims, to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has triggered widespread alarm among human rights groups, affected families, and the Bangladeshi government. Since early May 2025, over 2,500 people have been expelled, with reports of Indian Muslim citizens being rounded up and pushed across the border at gunpoint. The operation, which has grown more aggressive and militarized, raises serious questions about legality, fairness, and the impact on both countries.

What’s Happening: The Latest Developments

Since May 2025, Indian authorities have launched a nationwide crackdown targeting people they claim are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh 🇧🇩. The campaign has focused on states like Assam, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tripura. Detainees are often picked up in large groups, held in detention centers, and then transported to border areas. In a new development, the Indian Air Force is now flying detainees to the border, showing a sharp increase in the use of military resources for immigration enforcement.

Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has strongly protested these actions, calling them illegal and a violation of agreements between the two countries. Officials in Bangladesh 🇧🇩 say they have received more than 1,200 expelled people since early May, many of whom claim to be Indian citizens. Human rights groups and media reports have highlighted cases where Indian Muslims, even those with valid documents, have been forced out of the country without any legal process.

How the Deportation Process Works

The current deportation campaign, reportedly called “Operation Sindoor,” follows a step-by-step process:

1. Identification: Authorities use the Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP), a digital system that collects fingerprints, photos, and personal details, to identify suspected illegal immigrants. This system was first used for Rohingya refugees but now targets people believed to be from Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
2. Detention: Police and security forces round up thousands of people in different states, often through raids or by calling them to police stations.
3. Transfer: Detainees are moved to border states like Assam and Tripura, sometimes by bus and now increasingly by Indian Air Force planes.
4. Pushback: At the border, the Border Security Force (BSF) takes over. Detainees are forced across the border, often at remote and isolated points.
5. Bangladesh 🇧🇩 Reception: Bangladeshi officials receive the deportees. Many say they are Indian citizens and have never lived in Bangladesh 🇧🇩.

Why Is This Happening Now?

The Indian government says the crackdown is needed for national security, especially after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians. Officials claim that illegal immigration from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 threatens border security and stability. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly supported the campaign, saying nearly 1,000 suspected Bangladeshis have been detained in Assam alone, with 303 already expelled.

However, the speed and scale of the operation, along with reports of Indian Muslim citizens being deported, have raised serious concerns about fairness and respect for legal rights.

Who Is Affected?

The main groups impacted by the deportation campaign include:

• Muslim Communities in India: Many of those detained and deported are Muslims, especially from Assam and other northeastern states. Some have valid Indian documents but are still targeted.
• Bangladeshi Government and Society: Bangladesh 🇧🇩 must handle the sudden arrival of hundreds of people, many of whom insist they are not Bangladeshi citizens.
• Human Rights Groups: Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported forced deportations, lack of legal process, and ethnic profiling.
• Families of Deportees: Many families are split apart, with some members left in India and others pushed into Bangladesh 🇧🇩.

Key Numbers and Facts

• Over 2,500 alleged Bangladeshi nationals deported since early May 2025.
• Assam alone: Nearly 1,000 detained, 303 expelled.
• Bangladesh 🇧🇩: More than 1,200 people received since May 7, including Rohingyas.
• Deportations: Occur at multiple border points, including Moulvibazar, Sylhet, and Tripura.

What Are the Main Concerns?

1. Legal and Human Rights Issues

Human rights groups say the campaign breaks both Indian and international laws. The main problems include:

• No Due Process: Many people are deported without a hearing, lawyer, or chance to prove their citizenship.
• Risk of Statelessness: Some Indian citizens are wrongly labeled as illegal immigrants and sent to Bangladesh 🇧🇩, leaving them without a country.
• Use of Force: Reports say some deportees are taken at gunpoint, raising fears of violence and abuse.
• Violation of Non-Refoulement: This international rule says people cannot be sent to a country where they may face harm. India 🇮🇳 is accused of ignoring this rule.

2. Targeting of Muslims

The campaign mainly affects Muslims, especially in Assam and other border states. This has increased fears of religious profiling and discrimination. Many see the operation as part of a larger pattern of targeting minorities in India 🇮🇳.

3. Diplomatic Tensions

Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has officially protested the deportations, saying they break agreements between the two countries. The sudden arrival of hundreds of people, many of whom say they are not Bangladeshi, creates problems for local authorities and communities.

4. Use of Technology and Military

The Foreigners Identification Portal uses biometric data, which can be wrong or incomplete, especially in areas with mixed populations. The use of military planes to move detainees marks a new, more forceful approach to immigration enforcement.

Background: Why Is This Happening?

India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 share a long, open border. For decades, people have moved back and forth for work, family, or safety. In Assam, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in 2019 left nearly 1.9 million people, many of them Muslims, off the official list of citizens. This raised fears that many would become stateless.

The Foreigners Identification Portal was first used to track Rohingya refugees but now targets people believed to be from Bangladesh 🇧🇩. Political leaders in India 🇮🇳 have often spoken about the problem of “illegal immigrants,” especially during elections. This has increased pressure on the government to take action.

What Do the Stakeholders Say?

Indian Government and Security Forces

Officials say the operation is needed to protect the country from security threats and to manage the border. They argue that only illegal immigrants are being targeted, not Indian citizens.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

He has strongly supported the crackdown, saying it is necessary to protect Assam’s identity and security.

Bangladeshi Government

Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has condemned the deportations, saying many of those expelled are Indian citizens. Officials say the actions break international law and agreements between the two countries.

Human Rights Groups

Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported that Indian Muslim citizens are being deported without any legal process. They warn that the campaign is causing fear and breaking up families.

Affected Individuals

Some people who have been deported say they were taken from police stations or their homes without warning. They claim to have Indian documents but were not given a chance to prove their citizenship.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

The deportation campaign has several important effects:

• Human Rights Violations: Many people are denied basic legal rights, such as a hearing or access to a lawyer.
• Risk of Statelessness: Indian citizens wrongly deported to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 may end up without any citizenship.
• Increased Tensions: The focus on Muslims and the use of force may increase communal tensions in India 🇮🇳.
• Strain on Bangladesh 🇧🇩: The country must care for hundreds of new arrivals, many of whom have no ties to Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
• Diplomatic Problems: The campaign has created new tensions between India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩.

Expert Analysis

Legal experts say the campaign breaks both Indian constitutional protections and international human rights rules. The use of biometric data can lead to mistakes, especially in areas where people have lived for generations but may not have perfect documents. Analysts warn that the use of military force and technology could make the situation worse, increasing fear and mistrust among minority communities.

Bangladesh 🇧🇩’s strong protests show how the campaign is hurting relations between the two countries. Experts say the situation could get worse if more people are deported or if violence breaks out at the border.

What Happens Next?

The campaign is still going on, with no official end date. More deportations are expected in the coming weeks and months. Bangladesh 🇧🇩 may increase its protests or ask for help from international organizations. Human rights groups are likely to keep pushing India 🇮🇳 to stop forced deportations and respect legal rights.

Legal challenges may also be filed in Indian courts, with lawyers arguing that the campaign breaks the constitution and international law. The situation could affect not only India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 but also the wider region.

What Can Affected People Do?

If you or someone you know is affected by the deportation campaign, here are some steps to consider:

• Seek Legal Help: Try to contact a lawyer or a human rights group as soon as possible.
• Gather Documents: Keep all identity papers, such as birth certificates, voter IDs, and ration cards, in a safe place.
• Contact Authorities: If you believe you or a family member has been wrongly detained, contact the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs or local officials.
• Reach Out to NGOs: Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch may be able to offer support or advice.

For official information about immigration and citizenship rules in India 🇮🇳, you can visit the Ministry of Home Affairs website.

Conclusion: What’s at Stake?

India 🇮🇳’s deportation campaign has put thousands of people, mostly Muslims, at risk of losing their homes, families, and even their citizenship. The use of military force, technology, and fast-track procedures has raised serious questions about fairness and respect for human rights. Bangladesh 🇧🇩 faces the challenge of caring for new arrivals, many of whom say they have no connection to the country.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains tense, with legal, political, and humanitarian issues still unresolved. The coming months will be critical for the people affected, the two countries involved, and the wider region.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 2,500 people have been deported from India 🇮🇳 to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 since May 2025, many of them Muslims.
• Human rights groups warn of forced deportations, lack of legal process, and risk of statelessness.
• Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has protested the campaign, saying many deportees are Indian citizens.
• Affected individuals should seek legal help and keep documents safe.
• The situation is ongoing and could affect relations between India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 for years to come.

For more information on your rights and official procedures, visit the Ministry of Home Affairs or contact a trusted legal advisor.

Learn Today

Deportation → The formal removal of a person from a country for violating immigration laws or security reasons.
Foreigners Identification Portal → A digital system using biometric data to identify suspected illegal immigrants in India.
Non-Refoulement → An international legal principle prohibiting sending people to countries where they face harm.
Pushback → The forced return of detainees across a border, often without legal procedures or protections.
Statelessness → The condition of lacking nationality or citizenship, leaving a person without legal country protection.

This Article in a Nutshell

India’s deportation campaign forcibly expels thousands, mostly Muslims, to Bangladesh. Reports highlight legal violations, military methods, and serious human rights concerns amid growing regional tensions.
— By VisaVerge.com