India Faces Scrutiny Over Mass Deportations to Bangladesh Amid Human Rights Concerns

New Delhi – India has intensified its efforts to deport individuals identified as undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants, with thousands reportedly expelled in recent months, raising significant human rights concerns. The operations, often termed "pushbacks," have drawn criticism from international and domestic human rights organizations over alleged lack of due process and instances of Indian citizens being wrongfully deported.

According to a recent social media post by user "Spitting Facts," visuals of these deportations are circulating, stating, "Visuals of illegal Bangladeshis deported to Bangladesh from India." The tweet also adds, "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in full swing 🔥🔥," a comment that appears to be a sarcastic juxtaposition by the author, as the national cleanliness drive has no direct link to immigration enforcement.

Human Rights Watch reported on July 23, 2025, that Indian authorities have unlawfully expelled hundreds of ethnic Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh since May 2025, claiming they are "illegal immigrants." The organization highlighted that many of those expelled are Indian citizens, and the process often disregards due process rights and international human rights standards. Border Guard Bangladesh has indicated that over 1,500 Muslim individuals were pushed back between May 7 and June 15 alone.

The crackdown, reportedly intensified following a terror attack in Kashmir in April, has seen states like Gujarat, Delhi, Assam, and Rajasthan round up Bengali-speaking individuals, many of whom are impoverished migrant workers. Reports from CJP.org.in indicate that over 2,000 alleged "Bangladeshi immigrants" have been covertly deported since May 7 under "Operation Sindoor," with many instances occurring without judicial oversight or formal deportation orders. Some individuals were airlifted to border states and then "pushed back" across the border.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), launched by the Government of India in 2014, is a national campaign focused on improving sanitation, eliminating open defecation, and promoting hygiene across the country. Its objectives are entirely unrelated to immigration or deportation policies, focusing instead on public health and environmental cleanliness. The tweet's mention of this campaign appears to be a commentary on concurrent government activities.

Concerns persist regarding the fate of those deported, with some allegedly forced across the border at gunpoint and later found to be Indian citizens, necessitating their re-entry into India. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry has formally objected to these "push-ins," emphasizing that they violate established repatriation procedures and that Bangladesh will only accept individuals confirmed as its citizens through proper channels.