Why Illegal Migration Sparks New Panic in Bengal: NRC, Border Rush & Political Reactions

Leaders reiterated their determination to drive out illegal infiltrators from Indian territory, saying, "This is a government that won't spare even an inch of land.

Undocumented migrants, particularly those from Bangladesh and the Rohingya Muslim community, have long been viewed as a major threat to internal security. This problem has led to frequent calls for the implementation of NRC throughout the entire nation. Mostly in West Bengal, a new occurrence has caused significant fear. Suddenly, those who are unlawfully residing near the Bangladeshi border are trying to escape. Desperate to cross over and return to Bangladesh by whatever means imaginable, large numbers are assembling close to the border.

What caused this sudden rush?

In a number of states, the Election Commission has started the SIR (Special Summary Revision) procedure. Verification and door-to-door checks have increased since West Bengal's elections are scheduled for next year. Illegal immigrants are unable to furnish the information and documentation needed for these inspections. Many are hurrying for the border after packing their stuff into bags, suitcases, and sacks out of fear of being exposed. Hundreds of these migrants were waiting outside in North 24 Parganas, close to the Hakimpur checkpoint, with the hopes of returning to Bangladesh. With what little they had, several were trying to cross on foot.

This is an unprecedented circumstance where illegal migrants who previously concealed in India are now attempting to flee for the first time. Many of them have long resided in India, taken part in elections, and even had an impact on the results of multiple constituencies. They were able to acquire voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and other necessary documents despite not being citizens. Some residents of Indian areas can be undocumented migrants using false identities.

Now that SIR is in place, these people are afraid of being discovered. This is regarded as an unanticipated but advantageous consequence of the verification campaign.

But political criticism has surfaced. Some party leaders have objected, threatened to stage demonstrations in Delhi, and even petitioned the Supreme Court. They have good reason to be concerned; if SIR wasn't carried out, a large number of infiltrators who had previously cast ballots would do so again in the West Bengal elections the following year, undermining the democratic process. According to reports, thousands of migrants from Bangladesh and the Rohingya are attempting to reach the border. They are thought to be extremely common in West Bengal and other regions of India.

While no recent official data exists, earlier parliamentary replies offer some idea:

In 2016, the Minister of State for Home estimated around 20 million (2 crore) illegal Bangladeshi migrants in India.

In 2004, another minister stated that 12 million (1.2 crore) illegal Bangladeshi nationals were living across 17 states and union territories.

The Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal has even claimed that 10 million (1 crore) illegal migrants are living in Bengal alone.

These people exploit Indian resources unlawfully in addition to influencing elections. Many people use taxpayer-funded services, get government IDs, and take advantage of assistance programs. Some infiltrators have been connected by security services to sleeper groups, drug trafficking, and counterfeit currency activities.

In several districts of West Bengal, the surge in voter numbers has been unusually high:

North Dinajpur: Increase of 105%

Malda: Increase of 95%

North 24 Parganas: Increase of 83%

Statewide average: 67%

Such enormous increases strongly suggest that illegal immigrants may have influenced political results throughout time. Because these people developed a sizable political support base, the state government is now quite concerned about this abrupt reverse movement.