The recent deportation of 33 Bangladeshi nationals by Tamil Nadu police, along with the further processing to deport such individuals under police escort via the Tiruchi–Howrah Superfast Express on March 20, is being projected as a decisive administrative action by the DMK government and CM Stalin ahead of the State Assembly polls.
But when placed against the larger backdrop, it begins to resemble a familiar pattern, a carefully staged act that creates the illusion of enforcement among the people while concealing a far deeper and more entrenched ecosystem linked to illegal Bangladeshi settlements in the state.
On the surface, the deportation move appears aligned with directives from the Supreme Court and the Central government, mandating the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.
Tamil Nadu has even constituted a special task force, and detention centres are operational in Tiruchi, Cheyyar, and Attur near Salem.
However, this isolated action does little to address the scale of the issue. The reality, as widely acknowledged yet rarely confronted, is that thousands of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators continue to reside across Tamil Nadu.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | A total of 33 Bangladeshi nationals who were lodged in the special refugee camp at Attur in Salem district were deported from Tiruchirappalli.
According to officials, the individuals had been detained in connection with various cases and for residing in… pic.twitter.com/3cVMnDQgi9
— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2026
It has been rightly argued that, over time, under Dravidian Parties Particularly during DMK rule, Tamil Nadu has carefully evolved into a critical transit and settlement hub, facilitating movement from Bangladesh to West Bengal then into southern regions, including Coimbatore and even neighbouring Kerala.
Critics argue that this movement is not random; however, it is sustained by a well-developed radical Islamic network from the point of origin to transportation, employment, and eventual settlement by a mosque-controlled ecosystem in the state.
It is alleged that industries in districts like Tiruppur and Coimbatore provide easy access to work in hosiery units, construction, and agriculture, where they can work and focus on a change of demography, with all political support, particularly from the DMK and its allies.
Over time, this illegal integration is reinforced by the acquisition of identity documents, Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, ration cards, and, in some cases, even passports, through the connivance of local Muslim leaders and DMK allies or organised Islamic jamaat networks.
The deportation of 33 individuals is amplified, but the larger eco-system that enables illegal entry and long-term settlement remains unquestioned.
The question arises: is this a genuine attempt at enforcement, or a tactical move to momentarily deflect scrutiny ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled in April 2026?
Allegations persist that parties such as the DMK and its allies maintain a transactional relationship with these populations, viewing them as potential vote banks. From Panchayat to Parliamentary elections, the incentive is to regularise and retain them to remain in political power.
At the same time, a contrasting narrative is often highlighted: the DMK and its allies show a perceived hostility towards Hindi-speaking North Indian migrant workers, while migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar are treated with relative accommodation.
Historical data further complicates the narrative. Arrests of Bangladeshi nationals have been recurring: 11 detained in Annur, Coimbatore in January; 13 more from Coimbatore and Dindigul soon after; 18 sentenced a month prior; 19 imprisoned in Sikkarayapuram last year; 31 arrested by ATS in Tiruppur; 26 detained near Palladam; and as many as 98 apprehended in Tiruppur alone for lack of valid documents.
#Tamilnadu: 26 Bangladeshis arrested at Tiruppur The State Police raided their houses at Palladam. It was found that the Bangladeshis were working as labourers with fake Aadhaar IDs. pic.twitter.com/abc7zUbG0y
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) June 19, 2025
These numbers indicate not an isolated issue, but a carefully drafted design. Despite arrests in small numbers, the core network remains intact. Each round of arrests is followed by silence, allowing the cycle to continue without media attention.
31 illegal Bangladeshis arrested in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. All were working in textile units.
Employing low-cost labor without proper verification can jeopardize our national security.
In last few months, many illegal Bangladeshis have been consistently apprehended in Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/hxNZ8yelWH
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) January 14, 2025
The timing of the recent deportation, ahead of Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections, adds another layer to the debate.
It suggests that these actions may not be only for security, but also to send a political message—showing that the government is protecting national interests while not disturbing the vote-based system behind it.
The deportation of 33 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators is a welcome step. But it should not be seen as enough. It is only a small part of a bigger issue, where such visible actions can hide the real problem instead of solving it. The real challenge lies in dismantling the networks, exposing the individuals behind them, and punishing them.
