Tensions escalated between Bangladesh and India over the issue of Indian citizens being forcibly returned or “pushed in” across the border into Bangladesh.
Dhaka has lodged a strong protest against Delhi’s actions.
Investigations reveal that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has gathered large numbers of people near the border with the intent of pushing them into Bangladesh.
Between May 7 and mid-May, at least 500 individuals were forcibly pushed into Bangladesh through border points in Khagrachhari, Kurigram, Sylhet, Habiganj,
Moulvibazar, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Lalmonirhat.
In response to India’s “push-in” operations, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has increased patrols and declared a red alert, the highest level of readiness.
BGB reported that on Thursday alone, BSF pushed 11 people across the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat. In just two days, BSF pushed at least 105 people—men, women, and children—across borders in six districts: Cumilla, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Moulvibazar, Khagrachhari, and Feni.
These individuals were immediately detained by BGB.
Witnesses said the victims, often with nothing but the clothes on their backs, are deeply anxious about their future. All of them have identified themselves as Indian nationals to local district authorities.
BGB spokesperson Shariful Islam told Times of Bangladesh that protests—both verbal and written—have been sent to BSF through flag meetings for bypassing formal deportation procedures.
“BGB has intensified surveillance and patrols at the border to remain in a high-alert position against these push-ins,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said on Wednesday, “If these people are Indian citizens, India must take them back.”
“Our communication with Delhi is ongoing, and we are trying to ensure nothing happens outside of established norms,” he added.
He confirmed that Bangladesh has sent a protest letter to India over the push-in incidents. India has yet to respond.
Tensions have also risen due to India’s recent bans on Bangladeshi exports via land ports and its suspension of transshipment agreements.
Touhid Hossain added that Dhaka is sending an official letter to Delhi over the halt in Bangladeshi goods import through land ports.
Following Bangladesh’s political shift after the July uprising, Delhi curtailed visa issuance for Bangladeshis and gave shelter to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India also halted exports of essential goods like rice and onions to Bangladesh.
Now, amidst these strained ties, India has resumed its push-in activities.
Who is being pushed in?
What is known in Bangladesh as a “push-in” is referred to in India as a “push-back.”
According to on-the-ground reports by BBC Bangla, police in the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan have identified over 1,000 individuals in the past three weeks allegedly living there illegally after coming from Bangladesh.
BBC Bangla confirmed that among those recently pushed across the border were people brought from Gujarat.
A group of 148 people detained in Rajasthan was flown to Agartala, Tripura, by a special aircraft on Wednesday. Tripura borders Bangladesh’s Khagrachhari, Cumilla, and Brahmanbaria districts.
It is yet to be confirmed whether those involved in a Thursday night “push-back” attempt at the Vijaynagar border in Brahmanbaria had been among those caught in Rajasthan.
Police in Gujarat and Rajasthan told the BBC that all those they have verified as Bangladeshi nationals will be returned.
Other states, including Odisha, are also reportedly detaining people suspected of being “illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,” as per Indian police claims.