India deports thousands of Bangladeshis after West Bengal election victory

Indian authorities have deported nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi nationals from the eastern state of West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in recent state elections, according to figures released by local officials.

Indian authorities have deported nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi nationals from the eastern state of West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in recent state elections, according to figures released by local officials.

The large-scale deportation drive follows campaign promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which pledged to identify and remove undocumented migrants from the state. West Bengal, home to more than 100 million people, shares a long and often difficult-to-monitor border with Bangladesh, making immigration a major political issue for decades.

Speaking in Kolkata on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state government had already deported around 4,800 Bangladeshi citizens who were found to be living in India without legal status. He added that authorities were continuing the process and expected more deportations in the coming weeks.

According to Adhikari, the government established detention facilities across all districts of the state shortly after taking office in May. Individuals identified as undocumented migrants are being held at these centres while arrangements are made for their return to Bangladesh. He said another 836 people are currently being held and are expected to be deported in the near future.

The crackdown is part of a broader immigration policy introduced by the new administration. Officials have stated that those covered under India’s Citizenship Amendment Act would not be affected by the deportation campaign. The law, which was passed in 2019, provides a path to citizenship for certain religious minorities from neighbouring countries but excludes Muslims, making it a source of political controversy.

Migration between Bangladesh and India has long been influenced by economic opportunities, family connections and the shared history of communities living along the border. However, the issue has increasingly become a major political topic in India, particularly in border states where concerns about undocumented migration frequently feature in election campaigns.

Critics have accused the BJP of using harsh language and policies that disproportionately affect Muslim communities. Human rights groups have previously expressed concern over deportation practices and have called for greater transparency and legal safeguards during the identification and removal process. Some organisations have alleged that Bengali-speaking Muslims have at times been deported without sufficient legal review, claims that Indian authorities have denied.

The latest deportations also come at a time when relations between India and Bangladesh are gradually recovering from a period of tension. Diplomatic ties were strained following political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024, which led to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.

Since a new government took office in Dhaka earlier this year, both countries have sought to improve communication and cooperation. Border management remains one of the key areas of discussion between the two neighbours. Senior officials from the border security forces of both countries are expected to meet in New Delhi to discuss security, migration and cross-border issues.

While supporters of the deportation campaign argue that it strengthens border control and enforces immigration laws, opponents warn that the policy could deepen social divisions and raise concerns about the treatment of vulnerable communities. As the operation continues, the issue is likely to remain at the centre of political debate in both India and Bangladesh.