Union Home Minister Amit Shah has slammed the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, saying Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas enter India through the state and also Aadhar cards are issued to them there.
Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, which was later passed by the House, Amit Shah also expressed confidence that the BJP will win next year's assembly polls in West Bengal.
"Whether Bangladeshi infiltrators or Rohingyas, earlier they used to enter India through Assam when Congress was in power. Now they enter India through West Bengal where Trinamool Congress is in power. Who issues them Aadhaar cards, citizenship? All the Bangladeshis who have been caught have Aadhar cards from 24 Parganas district. You (TMC) issue Aadhaar cards and they come to Delhi with voter cards. In 2026, the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal, and we will put an end to this," he said.
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"Fencing work is pending because..."
The Union Home Minister also blamed the ruling party for the pending fencing work in Bengal. He said, “Whenever the process of fencing is done, the ruling party workers indulge in hooliganism and religious sloganeering. The fencing work of 450 km of border has not been completed because the West Bengal government is showing mercy to the infiltrators. Our border with Bangladesh is 2216 km. Out of that, 1653 km has been fenced. The road near the fence has also been built, and checkposts have also been built.”
He further added, “Of the remaining 563 km, there cannot be fencing on 112 km due to difficult terrain such as rivers, drains, and hills. Fencing on 450 km is pending as the Bengal government does not give land. Seven meetings have been held."
"India is not a Dharamshala"
Talking about the infiltration concerns Shah asserted that India was not a 'Dharamshala' (rest house). He said, "Those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a 'Dharamshala' (rest house). If someone comes to the nation to contribute to its development, they are always welcome," he said.
India is a geo-cultural nation: Shah
The Home Minister also highlighted how various minorities were safe in India. He said, "India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation. Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world's smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India.”
Highlighting the significance of monitoring immigration, Shah underlined "Immigration is not an isolated issue. For the security of India, we must know who is entering our country, for how long, and for what reasons. These concepts are not new; such rights have been mentioned in various laws, and we have now integrated them.”
He added, “With the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. This will help us develop the nation and monitor those coming for business. It will also allow us to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to our security.”