PUCL Condemns Expulsion of Bengali-speaking Muslims as Bangladeshis and Infiltrators

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, expresses grave concern and strongly condemns the recent incident in Rajasthan, where 148 individuals were declared “Bangladeshi citizens” and are now being taken for a forcible push back on the International border between the two countries. This action represents not only a blatant violation of human rights but also a complete disregard for due process of law, fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, and established international laws.

According to information received, the Rajasthan police handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) in Jodhpur, so called Bangaldeshi citizens, from the districts of Siikar and Kotputli within the Jaipur Range, and then via air were taken to the international border in West Bengal, from where they will be Pushed back. It is not the PUCL’s case that Indian and foreigners violate the Indian law while they are here, However, the method currently being adopted by the Indian government, particularly following Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s public statement on 10 May 2025, is deeply troubling. In that statement, Sarma proudly claimed that 30 to 40 people whom he labelled as illegal Bangladeshis, were forcibly taken to the border, and pushed back in an innovative expulsion operation, where the GOI and Assam Government both were involved. He further asserted that this new approach avoids the older, lawful deportation procedures, in which individuals were arrested, scrutinised under Indian law, and held in jail until judicial determination. Instead, the government is now bypassing legal scrutiny altogether.
PUCL strongly condemns this unconstitutional and illegal shift in policy.

The PUCL would like to ask the CM Rajasthan whether he too would like to be in the law breaker category by not following due proces and indulging in the Push Back method

The Supreme Court of India, in State of Arunachal Pradesh v. Union of India, has clearly affirmed that the Indian state is governed by the rule of law and that the Constitution guarantees certain rights to all persons—citizens and noncitizens alike—under their humanity.

These include the right to equality before the law and the right to life with dignity. International law, to which India is a signatory, expressly prohibits collective expulsions and arbitrary deportations, particularly where legal procedures are ignored.

In January 2025, when 385 Indian citizens were deported from the United States in shackles and chains, PUCL demanded an apology from both the Indian and U.S. governments and called for compensation to the affected individuals for the inhuman treatment they suffered. PUCL has consistently condemned the mistreatment of migrant workers—both Indian and foreign—by state authorities, including in Rajasthan.. In this same spirit, PUCL denounces the current actions of both the Indian and Rajasthan governments on humanitarian, legal, and ethical grounds.

*PUCL demands that any individual identified as a suspect by the Rajasthan Police must be subjected to proper investigation under law. They must not be denied the right to legal aid or a fair hearing. Under no circumstances should individuals be secretly or forcibly expelled from the country.

PUCL has identified numerous procedural violations in the police’s indiscriminate picking of detainees at the six detention centres in Rajasthan. Due to PUCL’s interventions, several individuals who were wrongly detained have been released.

PUCL strongly believes that all actions of the state must be in full compliance with Indian constitutional norms and international legal obligations.

In conclusion, PUCL raises two urgent and critical questions:

1. After the Pahalgam attack, victims across the country questioned the failure of India’s security and intelligence agencies. Instead of investigating these security lapses, the government has redirected its focus toward targeting alleged Bangladeshi nationals and carrying out unlawful expulsion operations.
2. For decades, it has been claimed that Bangladeshi citizens are entering India illegally. If that is indeed true, then the Border Security Force (BSF), which is stationed at the India-Bangladesh border, must be held accountable for how such alleged infiltrations are happening under its watch.

The Government cannot evade these pressing questions.

Kavita Srivastava, President, PUCL –National
Bhanwar Meghwanshi, State President, PUCL Rajasthan
Anant Bhatnagar, State General Secretary, PUCL Rajasthan