Immigration Crackdown in India Sparks Fear and Uncertainty Among Bengali Muslims

As local authorities intensify their hunt for illegal immigrants, many Bengali-speaking Muslim families in Gurugram, India, are facing dire consequences, fleeing their homes in fear. Allegations of mistreatment during detentions and a chilling atmosphere are leaving deep scars on the community, many of whom have lived in the city for years.

Thousands of Bengali-Muslim families in India are caught in a maelstrom of fear and uncertainty as immigration raids continue to pose a significant threat to their livelihoods. In Gurugram, a prosperous suburb near Delhi characterized by luxurious apartments and sleek SUVs, the stark reality of neighboring slums filled with impoverished migrant workers could not be more visible. These migrants, largely composed of domestic helpers and daily-wage earners, have suddenly found themselves the target of a "verification" drive aimed at rooting out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Last month, local authorities rounded up hundreds of these workers, primarily Bengali-speaking Muslims from West Bengal, detaining them in "holding centers" where they were questioned about their legal status. Many detainees, such as Ather Ali Sheikh—a daily-wage worker with a 15-year residence in the city—reported being mistreated and having their valid identification documents rejected. “I don’t understand why they targeted me,” Mr. Sheikh voiced indignantly, as his spouse hurriedly packed their limited belongings. “Is it because of my language, my faith, or my economic status?”

Despite the police's firm denial of bias, stating no specific ethnic group is being targeted, the recent detentions have spurred panic among the Bengali community. Reports indicate that although 250 individuals were detained, only 10 have been confirmed as illegal migrants. Meanwhile, those released often find themselves in a community gripped by apprehension, as workers have fled en masse, leaving households—including their own—struggling without essential domestic support.

In recent months, the Indian government’s crackdown on suspected illegal immigrants, particularly from Muslim-majority Bangladesh, has escalated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. In states like Assam and now in Delhi, local authorities are increasingly moving to deport individuals suspected of being residing without valid documentation.

“Every day we risk losing everything,” lamented Rauna Bibi, a domestic helper whose husband felt compelled to escape the city, fearing capture. It wasn’t just the loss of work that troubled her; it was the erosion of their sense of belonging and community identity that fundamentally affected her spirit.

Officials claim their efforts are part of implementing a new home ministry directive designed to formulate a systematic process for identifying and deporting illegal immigrants. However, critics argue that this initiative lacks clarity and disproportionately impacts those who, by virtue of language or socioeconomic status, become presumed suspects.

“We’ve lived and worked tirelessly in this community,” expressed Rabi-ul-Hassan, a resident of a large slum near elite complexes. “Now we’re expected to fight even harder to prove our existence.”

Tensions grow as Bengali-Muslim families occupy their nights with fear, clutching their identification documents as a safeguard against the growing uncertainty of their legal standing in the country. The despair is palpable, with many residents wondering if a life in detention would be preferable to the dread of the current reality. The struggle for stability continues as they navigate a labyrinth of legal and existential turmoil, with their very presence in India now under scrutiny.