Concerns mount over unlawful deportations and human rights violations at India-Bangladesh border

By A Representative

Human rights organizations have raised serious concerns over the alleged mistreatment and deportation of individuals identified as Bangladeshi nationals, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of India, Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), has urged immediate intervention to halt unlawful deportations and investigate human rights violations.

The letter highlights reports of physical assault, forced separations, and illegal detentions of individuals accused of being undocumented immigrants. It specifically calls out the Gujarat Crime Branch for allegedly abducting and blindfolding detainees before transporting them under questionable circumstances. These actions, the letter argues, violate India’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Recent reports indicate that the Indian government has intensified its deportation efforts, with over 1,000 suspected Bangladeshi nationals detained in Gujarat and Rajasthan in late April. On May 4, 2025, two Air India planes transported 300 undocumented migrants, including 200 women and children, from Gujarat to Agartala, Tripura, where they were subsequently sent to Bangladesh via the land border. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, in a statement on May 8, 2025, expressed concerns over India’s deportation practices and urged adherence to established repatriation mechanisms. However, activists argue that India’s response has been inadequate, potentially straining diplomatic relations.

Concerns have also been raised over Home Minister’s remarks, referring to individuals as “Ghuspatia” (infiltrators), which activists claim have fueled hostility against long-term residents of Bangladeshi origin. The letter warns that such rhetoric undermines India’s democratic values and commitment to justice.

Reports suggest that India has adopted a “pushback” policy, bypassing legal procedures and directly deporting individuals without due process. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that detainees, including Rohingya refugees and Bengali-speaking individuals, were forcibly removed from detention centers and pushed across the border. The Matia detention center in Assam, previously housing hundreds of detainees, has reportedly been emptied as part of this operation.

Alarming reports have surfaced regarding the treatment of detainees before deportation. Victims have alleged physical abuse, blindfolding, and forced transportation under extreme conditions. Some detainees reported being handcuffed and flown to undisclosed locations before being pushed across the border. Others described being subjected to religious slurs and denied food during their detention. The Bangladesh Coast Guard recently rescued 75 individuals who had been pushed into the country through the Sundarbans, many of whom bore signs of physical torture and malnourishment.

The Gujarat Crime Branch has also been accused of using excessive force during detentions. A recent study on policing in India found that Gujarat ranks among the highest in police personnel endorsing torture as a means of extracting information. Activists argue that such practices disproportionately target marginalized communities, including undocumented migrants.

MASUM’s appeal urges the Supreme Court to intervene, ensuring detainees receive fair hearings, investigating alleged human rights violations by law enforcement agencies, reaffirming India’s commitment to international treaties and constitutional protections, and engaging in diplomatic discussions with Bangladesh to resolve immigration concerns.

The issue has sparked widespread debate, with legal experts warning that bypassing due process could set a dangerous precedent. As deportations continue, human rights groups insist that India must uphold its constitutional and international commitments to protect vulnerable individuals.

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