Allegations Arise Over Forced Deportation of Indian Migrant Worker to Bangladesh

Incident Involving Migrant Worker

Family members of a 19-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal have claimed that he was forcibly taken into Bangladesh at gunpoint by the Border Security Force (BSF) after being detained for two months in a Rajasthan facility.

Following the circulation of a video featuring Amir Sheikh speaking to locals in Bangladesh, his family lodged a police report, as confirmed by his uncle, Mohammed Ajmaul Sheikh.

In the footage, Amir identifies himself as a resident of Malda, West Bengal, explaining that he was apprehended by state police in Rajasthan under the suspicion of being Bangladeshi.

He stated that he presented his Aadhaar card and other parental documents to the authorities, but they insisted on additional identification, which he did not possess.

Amir expressed his confusion, saying, 'I do not know anybody in Bangladesh. I have nothing to eat.'

Family's Struggle and Police Demands

Mohammed Ajmaul Sheikh revealed that Amir had traveled to Rajasthan three months prior.

He mentioned that a contractor had informed them of Amir's arrest, and they had submitted all necessary documents, including Aadhaar and birth certificates, but these were rejected.

The family alleged that Rajasthan Police demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 for Amir's release, which they could not afford, resulting in his two-month detention.

They were unaware of Amir's situation until the video surfaced online.

The family managed to speak with Amir once through a call from a Bangladeshi individual, during which they learned that the BSF had allegedly assaulted him.

Legal Action and Broader Context

The family has filed a police complaint in West Bengal, asserting that they possess documents proving their residence in India since the 1950s.

This incident coincides with the Trinamool Congress raising concerns about reports of Bengali-speaking migrant workers being detained across the country due to suspicions of being from Bangladesh.

In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, police in several BJP-ruled states have been detaining Bengali-speaking individuals, primarily Muslims, demanding proof of their Indian citizenship.

Numerous individuals have reportedly been forced into Bangladesh after failing to validate their citizenship, with some mistakenly deported returning to India after verification.

In May, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs instructed states and Union Territories to verify the status of individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Recent Detentions and Human Rights Concerns

On July 19, police in Gurugram detained at least 74 migrant workers suspected of being from Bangladesh, with 11 hailing from West Bengal and 63 from Assam.

Reports indicated that even the son of an Assam Police constable was detained under similar suspicions.

Human Rights Watch has called for India to cease unlawful deportations to Bangladesh without due process, urging the government to ensure access to procedural safeguards to prevent arbitrary detention and expulsion.