Delhi Police Accused of Harassing Bengali-speaking Muslims in Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Delhi Police Accused of Harassing Bengali-speaking Muslims in Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
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Senior leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Brinda Karat and Anurag Saxena, have accused Delhi Police and central agencies of widespread human rights abuses targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims amid a crackdown on alleged illegal immigrants, Clarion India reported. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, they detailed cases of racial profiling, unlawful detention, custodial violence, extortion, and wrongful deportation.

The CPI(M) delegation’s visit to Bawana JJ Colony uncovered multiple accounts of police brutality and harassment. Notably, Md Nizamuddin, a long-time resident of Bawana with documented Indian citizenship and property ownership since 2004, was allegedly beaten and detained along with his family, including minors, over accusations of aiding a Bangladeshi national. Despite providing proof of citizenship, the family faced continued abuse and threats.

Another victim, Sajan Saudagar Das, was reportedly beaten at Pritampura police station simply for speaking Bengali. Police later admitted his arrest was a mistake. Three elderly women, brought from Bangladesh decades ago and settled with Indian-born families, were detained for three days, had their biometric data forcibly taken, and live in fear of deportation.

Most alarmingly, eight Bengali-speaking individuals, including a woman and a five-year-old child with valid documents from West Bengal, were wrongfully deported to Bangladesh on June 26.

The CPI(M) demands an immediate halt to illegal raids, deletion of innocent citizens’ biometric data, disciplinary action against offending officers, and compensation for victims. Rights groups warn this crackdown sets a dangerous precedent of discrimination based on language and religion. The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet to respond.