Senior CPI(M) leaders Brinda Karat and Anurag Saxena have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting the harassment and human rights violations faced by Bengali-speaking citizens in Delhi during the ongoing process of “identification of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants”.
The leaders said they visited Bawana JJ colony in the national capital and met several complainants who alleged harassment by the police. They cited instances of citizens being handcuffed, beaten, and intimidated, with their photographs taken and uploaded on a police website.
In one case, a family, including young women and children, were repeatedly visited by police teams from different police stations.
The CPI(M) leaders have demanded action against the police personnel responsible for the harassment and adequate compensation for the victims. They also called for the deletion of photographs from police records and protection of the dignity of Bengali-speaking citizens. “Is it now a crime in India to speak Bengali? Further, are all Bengali-speaking Muslim citizens of India to be treated as criminals and illegal immigrants,” the leaders asked.
The process of identification of illegal immigrants in Delhi has raised concerns about human rights violations and targeting of citizens based on language and religion. The CPI(M) leaders’ letter highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to address the issue of illegal immigration while protecting the rights of citizens.