Hubballi: Concerns over the alleged movement of Bangladeshi inflitrators into Karnataka intensified in Hubballi on May 18 with Hindu organisations staging protests outside the Sri Siddharoodha Railway Station and demanding stricter surveillance of passengers arriving from West Bengal and eastern states.
The protest, led by Pramod Muthalik and members of the Sri Rama Sene, was organised amid allegations that several suspected Bangladeshi nationals have recently entered Hubballi and other cities in southern India in search of “safe locations” following political developments in West Bengal.
Demonstrators accused railway police of conducting only superficial checks on suspicious passengers arriving by train and alleged that individuals carrying fake Aadhaar cards were being allowed to travel freely without detailed verification.
The issue of illegal Bangladeshis had become a major political topic during the recent West Bengal elections, with allegations regarding undocumented migrants and voter identity verification dominating campaign discussions. Following the elections, some Hindu organisations in Karnataka have claimed that illegal Bangladeshis may now be attempting to relocate to southern states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in search of employment and anonymity.
According to protestors, around 10 suspicious individuals arriving from West Bengal had recently come under scrutiny at the Hubballi railway station. Railway police reportedly questioned the passengers, who claimed they were travelling to Bagalkot district for labour work. After producing Aadhaar cards, they were allegedly allowed to continue their journey.
However, the incident triggered outrage among right-wing groups, who argued that Aadhaar cards alone should not be treated as sufficient proof of citizenship because fake identity documents can also be created illegally.
Addressing protestors, Pramod Muthalik demanded a comprehensive verification mechanism for passengers arriving from sensitive regions. “It is not enough to simply check Aadhaar cards and let people go. There must be proper investigation because fake documents are being widely misused. Authorities must ensure that infiltrators do not settle in Karnataka,” he said.
He also called for tighter coordination between local police, railway authorities and intelligence agencies to monitor migration patterns and identify individuals staying illegally in the state.
As the protest gathered momentum, local police and railway personnel increased checking of passengers arriving on trains, particularly the Shalimar Express coming from West Bengal. However, activists alleged that the checks were largely symbolic because of the heavy passenger rush and inadequate manpower at the station.
Police personnel were seen examining identity documents of passengers and questioning some travellers, but officials admitted that conducting detailed verification of hundreds of passengers arriving daily remains a difficult task.
Despite the growing political debate, railway authorities have so far not issued any official statement confirming the presence of Bangladeshi inflitrators in Hubballi. Senior officers said the matter would be brought to the notice of higher authorities and further action would be taken based on instructions from intelligence and security agencies.
The protest comes against the backdrop of increasing national concern regarding illegal migrants and border security. In recent months, enforcement agencies in Karnataka have intensified verification drives targeting undocumented migrants in Bengaluru and other cities. Large-scale deportation operations involving suspected illegal Bangladeshis were also recently reported in parts of the state.
Political observers say the issue is likely to gain further attention in Karnataka as debates around migration, security and identity continue to dominate public discourse across several states.
Meanwhile, local residents and traders in Hubballi have expressed concerns . Many supported stricter verifications of newcomers entering the city since identifying them is difficult as they claiming Assam and west Bengal origin people.
Security agencies are now expected to increase monitoring at railway stations and transportation hubs across north Karnataka, especially on trains arriving from eastern India. Police sources indicated that surveillance may be enhanced in labour-intensive sectors where migrant workers are commonly employed.
