Police Crackdown on Bangladeshi Immigrants in Delhi Sparks Demand for Action Against Illegal Indian Workers

In India’s capital, Delhi, police have reportedly identified 175 individuals as “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.” According to a report from PTI on Sunday, Delhi Police conducted a 12-hour operation in Outer Delhi on Saturday to identify these individuals. This crackdown has ignited a social media campaign in Bangladesh, demanding action against illegal Indian workers employed in the country.

A senior Delhi Police official, quoted by PTI, stated that they have intensified operations to identify and detain residents living without valid documentation. The operation, initiated on December 11 under orders from the state government, involved door-to-door searches and targeted inspections in Outer Delhi. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Kumar Singh revealed that over 1,000 individuals were scrutinized, and two arrests were made in areas such as Kalindi Kunj and Hazrat Nizamuddin.

In response to the arrests, social media in Bangladesh has erupted with demands to detain Indian workers who are allegedly working illegally in the country. Critics argue that Bangladesh has been too lenient, allowing millions of Indians to work both legally and illegally, often remitting significant sums of money back to India.

Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, a former legal advisor to the interim government, claimed that 2.6 million Indians are employed in Bangladesh. In a viral social media video, he stated that billions of dollars are sent out of the country annually by these workers. This sentiment was echoed in a recent Facebook post by the ruling Awami League, urging the identification and dismissal of foreign workers to create opportunities for local youth.

Reports indicate that Indian workers in Bangladesh send home substantial remittances, with figures reaching $506 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year. Meanwhile, a High Court petition filed in May sought investigations into $10.2 billion annually remitted abroad by illegal foreign workers, including Indians. The petition highlighted that this outflow of funds undermines opportunities for local workers and exacerbates unemployment in Bangladesh.

Social media users have compared Bangladesh's restrained response to India's aggressive actions against Bangladeshi migrants. Many argue that Bangladesh should adopt a more assertive stance, mirroring the responses of Pakistan and Nepal when faced with similar situations involving India.

One social media user wrote: It’s time to act. Identify and deport illegal Indian workers sending remittances back home. Reciprocity is essential.

In a broader critique of India’s regional policies, student activist Hasnat Abdullah highlighted India’s strained relations with its neighbors, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. He called for equitable and fair relations, asserting that Bangladesh must stand firm and assert its sovereignty.

The crackdown in Delhi and the subsequent backlash underscore the complex dynamics of migration and economic interdependence between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the need for bilateral dialogue and equitable policies.