NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah, while replying in the Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, on Thursday accused Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of obstructing border security efforts by not providing land for fencing and showing mercy to infiltrators.
He said, “The fencing work of 450 km is pending because the West Bengal government is not giving land for it… Whenever the process of fencing is done, the ruling party workers indulge in hooliganism and religious sloganeering. The fencing work of 450 km of border has not been completed because the West Bengal government is showing mercy to the infiltrators.”
Shah further accused the TMC government of aiding illegal immigrants by providing them with identity documents. “Whether Bangladeshi infiltrators or Rohingyas, earlier they used to enter India through Assam when Congress was in power. Now they enter India through West Bengal where TMC is in power,” he stated. “Who issues them Aadhaar cards, citizenship?… All the Bangladeshis who have been caught have Aadhaar cards from 24 Parganas district. You (TMC) issue Aadhaar cards and they come to Delhi with voter cards… In 2026, the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal and we will put an end to this.”
He also drew attention to the need for stricter immigration laws to safeguard national security and monitor foreign arrivals.
Highlighting India’s growing economic stature and the increasing influx of foreigners, Shah said, “In the last ten years, India has become the fifth-largest economy. India has emerged as a bright spot among the world’s largest economies. India has become a hub of manufacturing, and it is natural for people from all over the world to come to India.”
However, he warned that infiltration for ulterior motives has also increased. “The number of people taking refuge in India for personal gain and making the country unsafe has also increased… Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them.”
Defending the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, Shah said it was necessary for national security. “Immigration is not an isolated issue. For the security of India, we must know who is entering our country, for how long, and for what reasons.” He added that the bill would introduce a structured system to monitor foreigners. “With the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. This will help us develop the nation and monitor those coming for business. It will also allow us to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to our security.”
Focusing on India’s historical role in providing refuge, Shah said, “India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation. Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world’s smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India. During Prime Minister Modi’s tenure, people from six oppressed communities from neighboring countries are taking refuge in the country through CAA.”
Shah also made it clear that national security would remain a top priority. “Those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala’… If someone comes to the nation to contribute to its development, they are always welcome.”
Following his address, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was passed in the Lok Sabha.
