In a bold and controversial statement, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pledged to make Delhi free from “illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas,” with its leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah making the promise during an election rally on Sunday, January 26. The promise comes ahead of Delhi’s Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for February 8.
Amit Shah, addressing a public gathering in the Naraila area of Delhi, took aim at the current Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Shah accused the AAP of misleading voters with false propaganda and corruption over the last decade, labeling the party as “illegal” and even calling it the “Illegal Import Party.”
The BJP leader said, “If the BJP wins the upcoming election, we will free Delhi from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas. We will make Delhi the number one capital in the world.” He further claimed that the AAP government, with the help of local administration, has been providing shelter to illegal immigrants, thus worsening the situation in Delhi.
Shah also criticized the AAP for failing to deliver on its promises, citing poor water supply, inadequate school facilities, and underfunded hospitals as examples of the government’s alleged failures. He further compared Delhi’s governance under Kejriwal’s leadership to BJP-ruled states, which, according to him, have progressed under the “double-engine” government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP’s rhetoric has sparked significant backlash, particularly in Bangladesh, where such inflammatory remarks about migrants and refugees are seen as offensive and harmful. The inflammatory language used by BJP leaders not only misrepresents the complex reality of migration but also undermines the hardships faced by many innocent people, including refugees who have fled violence and persecution.
This pledge to target these specific communities has raised concerns about the potential social and diplomatic implications for India, particularly in relation to Bangladesh, with whom India shares deep cultural, economic, and political ties. Critics argue that such statements can fuel xenophobia and anti-refugee sentiment, which could have long-lasting effects on regional harmony.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports as the election campaign intensifies, questions remain on how the BJP’s promises will impact relations between the two nations, with many calling for a more compassionate and nuanced approach to migration and refugee issues in South Asia.
LND/BG
