Security, Politics, Humanity: Bharat’s Immigration Crossroads

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 20th August: Illegal immigration remains one of Bharat’s most pressing challenges, intertwining national security, demographic shifts, and humanitarian concerns into a complex tapestry. Millions of undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants have settled across Bharat’s border states and major metropolitan areas, reshaping local populations, straining civic infrastructure, and raising alarm bells for security agencies. Recent remarks by Congress MP Imran Masood, an advisor to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, suggesting that “Bangladeshi-Rohingyas are poor, they shouldn’t be asked to go back,” have reignited the political firestorm, with the BJP labeling such statements as dangerous and emblematic of vote bank politics.

The Scale of the Challenge

Estimates of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Bharat range dramatically, from 2 million to as high as 20 million. Assam alone is believed to host approximately 2 million undocumented migrants. The 2019 National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam identified nearly 1.9 million illegal immigrants, roughly 700,000 of whom were Muslims. Large cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad harbor undocumented enclaves where forged documentation shields migrants from detection, complicating deportation efforts.

The Rohingya refugee population further complicates the scenario. Officially counted at around 40,000, unofficial estimates place their numbers closer to 75,000. Security agencies have repeatedly highlighted that many hold fraudulent Aadhaar and voter IDs, raising fears of infiltration into the electoral process. In a recent update, the Union Home Ministry reported the deportation of 1,880 illegal immigrants over just two months in 2025, reflecting the ongoing efforts to tackle this issue.

Congress and the Perception of Appeasement

The Congress party has often adopted a softer stance on illegal immigration, citing humanitarian obligations. Imran Masood’s remarks echo a longstanding approach by certain party leaders who emphasize moral responsibility over strict enforcement. However, this stance has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which frames such leniency as an open attempt to shield illegal immigrants for electoral advantage.

Critics note that this is not a new phenomenon. The Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act (IMDT) of 1983, passed under a Congress-led government, made deportation processes in Assam extremely cumbersome. The Supreme Court eventually struck it down in 2005, declaring it unconstitutional and a threat to national security. Yet, Congress leaders resisted immediate enforcement reforms at the time, highlighting a historical pattern of prioritizing political optics over decisive action. Statements from advisors associated with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defending illegal immigrants on humanitarian grounds have further amplified accusations of “appeasement politics.”

National Security and Demographic Concerns

For the BJP, illegal immigration is primarily a national security issue, closely tied to demographic integrity. Party leaders argue that undocumented inflows from Bangladesh and Myanmar not only alter population balances in sensitive border states but also strain limited resources and increase the risk of extremist infiltration. In Parliament, BJP representatives have repeatedly criticized Congress for “lenient and unstructured immigration laws” that allegedly encouraged unchecked entry.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, currently under debate, reflects the sharp political divide: while the BJP advocates stringent border controls and clear deportation frameworks, Congress continues to push for a softer, rights-oriented approach, often invoking constitutional values and minority protections. This legislative debate underscores how illegal immigration has evolved beyond a legal or humanitarian issue into one of Bharat’s most polarizing political battlegrounds.

Humanitarian Concerns vs. Sovereignty

It is undeniable that the humanitarian plight of migrants—particularly—is real and morally compelling. Critics of hardline measures argue that forced deportations or exclusionary policies can exacerbate human suffering. Yet, unchecked illegal immigration also poses tangible risks to national sovereignty and social cohesion. When large populations reside without documentation, it complicates governance, strains public services, and risks political manipulation.

The tension between humanitarian responsibility and security imperatives has been a defining feature of Bharat’s approach to illegal immigration. While Congress emphasizes compassion and minority rights, critics contend that this emphasis often dovetails with political calculation rather than principle. Meanwhile, the BJP frames strict enforcement as essential to national security, seeking to maintain both demographic integrity and the rule of law.

Striking a Balanced Approach

Bharat’s challenge lies not in choosing between security and compassion but in balancing both. A nuanced, evidence-based immigration policy could include timely identification of illegal immigrants, humane treatment of genuine refugees, and strengthened border management to prevent future inflows. Political rhetoric should not overshadow the pragmatic imperatives of national security and social stability. Avoiding one-dimensional narratives—whether portraying migrants solely as victims or solely as threats—would allow Bharat to address this issue with both moral clarity and strategic foresight.

Illegal immigration in Bharat is no longer merely a border or law-and-order issue. It is a multifaceted challenge with demographic, security, and political dimensions. While humanitarian concerns cannot be dismissed, unchecked migration threatens national sovereignty, resource distribution, and social harmony. Political posturing, whether in the form of appeasement or hyper-nationalist rhetoric, has only intensified public debate. The path forward demands a balanced, legally sound, and compassionate approach—one that upholds Bharat’s security while recognizing its moral and constitutional obligations. In navigating this complex terrain, Bharat’s policymakers must resist simplistic narratives and embrace solutions that protect both humanity and the nation’s integrity.