India 🇮🇳 has come under sharp criticism from Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other rights groups for expelling more than 1,500 Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 between May 7 and June 15, 2025. HRW says these expulsions are unlawful, target Muslims, and ignore basic legal protections. The Indian government claims those deported are undocumented migrants, but many experts and community members say the process is unfair and puts innocent people at risk.
Who is being expelled and why?
According to HRW, the people forced out are mostly Muslim men, women, and children who speak Bengali. Many have lived in India 🇮🇳 for years, some even for generations. The government says they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh 🇧🇩, but HRW and other groups argue that many are actually Indian citizens who have been wrongly identified.
Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia director, said, “The Indian government’s claims about undocumented migrants are unconvincing.” She added that the process does not follow fair legal steps and puts thousands of vulnerable people in danger.
How are these expulsions happening?
The expulsions are part of a larger push by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to crack down on what it calls illegal immigration. Several states, especially those near the border with Bangladesh 🇧🇩, have stepped up efforts to find and deport people they believe are living in the country without proper documents.
- Over 1,500 people expelled in just over a month
- Most are Bengali-speaking Muslims
- Many say they were not given a chance to prove their citizenship
- Some families have been separated, with children left behind or sent alone
HRW and Amnesty International have both said that these actions break international human rights rules. They point out that people should not be sent out of a country without a fair hearing or a chance to show their legal status.
What is the Indian government’s position?
Indian officials say the expulsions are needed to control illegal immigration and protect the country’s borders. They argue that many people cross into India 🇮🇳 from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 without permission, taking advantage of gaps in border fencing and weak checks on documents.
A spokesperson for the Indian government said, “We are only removing those who do not have the right to stay in India 🇮🇳. This is about national security and following the law.”
However, critics say this explanation does not hold up. They point out that the process often targets Muslims and that many people are not given a real chance to prove they belong in India 🇮🇳. Some have even been deported despite having documents showing they are Indian citizens.
Bangladesh’s response and the border situation
Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has pushed back against India’s actions. Officials there have asked India 🇮🇳 to stop the deportations and, in some cases, have refused to accept people sent across the border. This has led to situations where families are stranded in no-man’s land, unable to go back to India 🇮🇳 or enter Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
A Bangladeshi official said, “We cannot accept people who are not our citizens. India 🇮🇳 must follow proper procedures and respect human rights.”
The border between India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 is long and difficult to police. Incomplete fencing and gaps in security make it easy for people to cross in both directions. This has led to confusion and mistakes, with some Indian citizens being wrongly sent to Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
Impact on affected communities
The expulsions have created fear and uncertainty among India’s Muslim population, especially those who speak Bengali. Many worry they could be next, even if they have lived in India 🇮🇳 their whole lives.
Some key effects include:
- Families separated: In several cases, parents have been sent to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 while their children remain in India 🇮🇳, or vice versa.
- Loss of homes and jobs: People forced out lose everything they have built in India 🇮🇳, including homes, jobs, and community ties.
- Fear and mistrust: Many Muslims now fear government officials and avoid contact with authorities, even for basic services.
- Mistaken identity: Some Indian citizens have been deported by mistake, showing that the process is not always accurate.
A local community leader in Assam, a state near the Bangladesh 🇧🇩 border, said, “People are living in constant fear. They worry that any day, they could be picked up and sent away, even if they have done nothing wrong.”
International reaction and human rights concerns
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both strongly criticized India’s actions. They say the expulsions break international laws that protect people from being sent out of a country without a fair process.
HRW’s Elaine Pearson said, “India 🇮🇳 is violating basic human rights by expelling people without giving them a chance to prove their citizenship. This is not just about immigration; it’s about discrimination against Muslims.”
Amnesty International added that India 🇮🇳 must respect the rights of all people, regardless of religion or language. They called on the government to stop the expulsions and review each case carefully.
The United Nations has also raised concerns. A spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office said, “We urge India 🇮🇳 to ensure that all deportations follow due process and respect international human rights standards.”
Legal and policy background
India’s immigration policies have become stricter in recent years, especially under the BJP government. The government has focused on stopping illegal immigration from Muslim-majority countries like Bangladesh 🇧🇩, saying it is necessary for national security.
One key policy is the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which aims to identify and remove illegal immigrants. However, the NRC process has been criticized for being unfair and for targeting Muslims. Many people, especially in Assam, have found themselves left off the list, even if they have lived in India 🇮🇳 for decades.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed in 2019, also plays a role. The CAA makes it easier for non-Muslim immigrants from neighboring countries to become Indian citizens, but does not offer the same path for Muslims. Critics say this is discriminatory and goes against India’s tradition of secularism.
How does the process work?
In most cases, people accused of being illegal immigrants are picked up by police or border officials. They are often held in detention centers while their cases are reviewed. However, HRW and other groups say that many people are not given a real chance to prove their citizenship. Some are sent out of the country without any hearing at all.
- No clear legal process: Many people do not get a lawyer or a fair hearing.
- Lack of documents: Poor and rural people often do not have birth certificates or other papers, making it hard to prove their status.
- Language barriers: Some people do not speak the official language used in hearings, making it even harder to defend themselves.
- Mistakes and confusion: Officials sometimes make errors, leading to the deportation of Indian citizens.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these problems show the need for a fair and transparent process that respects everyone’s rights.
What are the possible solutions?
Many experts and rights groups have called for changes to India’s immigration policies. Some of the main suggestions include:
- Fair hearings for all: Everyone accused of being an illegal immigrant should get a chance to prove their citizenship in a fair and open process.
- Legal help: People should have access to lawyers and translators to help them understand the process.
- Better documentation: The government should help people get the documents they need to prove their status.
- Stop targeting based on religion or language: Policies should not single out Muslims or Bengali speakers.
- Work with Bangladesh 🇧🇩: India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩 should work together to solve border and migration issues in a way that respects human rights.
A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said, “India 🇮🇳 must stop these unlawful expulsions and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to prove their right to stay.”
What can affected people do?
If you or someone you know is at risk of deportation, it is important to:
- Keep all documents: Save any papers that show your identity, where you were born, or how long you have lived in India 🇮🇳.
- Seek legal help: Contact a lawyer or a rights group for advice and support.
- Know your rights: You have the right to a fair hearing and to be treated with respect.
- Reach out to community organizations: Local groups can offer help with documents, translation, and legal advice.
For more information on India’s immigration policies and your rights, visit the official Indian government website.
Looking ahead: What’s next for India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩?
The situation remains tense. India 🇮🇳 says it will continue to remove people it believes are in the country illegally, while Bangladesh 🇧🇩 has made it clear it will not accept people who are not its citizens. This has led to a standoff at the border and growing pressure from the international community.
Human Rights Watch and other groups will likely keep pushing India 🇮🇳 to change its policies and respect the rights of all people, regardless of religion or language. The United Nations and other international bodies may also get more involved if the situation does not improve.
Conclusion and practical steps
The recent expulsions from India 🇮🇳 to Bangladesh 🇧🇩 have raised serious questions about fairness, human rights, and the treatment of minorities. While the government says it is acting to protect the country, many believe the process is unfair and targets Muslims.
If you are affected, remember to keep your documents safe, seek legal help, and know your rights. Community groups and international organizations can also offer support.
As the world watches, it is important for India 🇮🇳 to show that it respects the rights of all people and follows fair and just policies. Only then can trust be rebuilt and the rights of everyone protected.
For more details on human rights and immigration in India 🇮🇳, you can visit Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International. These organizations offer updates and advice for those affected by these policies.
Learn Today
Deportation → The forced removal of a person from one country to another, often for legal or political reasons.
Human Rights Watch → An international organization monitoring and reporting on human rights violations worldwide.
National Register of Citizens (NRC) → An Indian government list aiming to identify illegal immigrants and verify citizenship.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) → 2019 Indian law easing citizenship for certain non-Muslim immigrants, criticized as discriminatory.
Due process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through judicial system before deprivation of rights or deportation.
This Article in a Nutshell
India expelled more than 1,500 Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh in 2025 without fair legal processes. Human Rights Watch condemns this as unlawful ethnic targeting, while India claims it protects national security by removing undocumented migrants amid complex border challenges and international criticism.
— By VisaVerge.com
