One more Bangladeshi national has been arrested in Kollam from an Islamic madrasa, as security agencies continue their raids and investigations into illegal Bangladeshis settled in the state. On June 24, a 19-year-old Bangladeshi national, Moshiur Khan alias Aman Khan, was nabbed by the Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The arrested individual was allegedly residing and studying illegally at the Shariathul Islam Madrasa under the Karunagappally Puthentheruvu Muslim Jamaath mosque in Kollam district.
The arrest has triggered debates and further investigations across Keralam. Here are the major details regarding the incident:
Moshiur Khan was residing in the madrasa without a valid passport, visa or legal entry documents. Authorities recovered multiple forged Bharatiya documents from him, including a fraudulent Aadhaar card, ration card and voter ID card.
Reports from Karunagappally suggest that the illegal migrant was provided shelter, formal madrasa education and assistance in securing local documents by individuals and religious leaders in the Karunagappally area.
The incident has paved the way for a series of similar apprehensions in the region. Some time back, local police in Chavara arrested a Bangladeshi couple who had managed to reside in Karunagappally and Chavara for several years. They were found in possession of fake identity documents.
There are reports that the Kerala Police and the Anti-Terrorist Squad are conducting further investigations into the modus operandi through which illegal migrants enter the state and utilise local networks to establish false identities and secure shelter in religious institutions.
There are an estimated 3.5 million to 4 million migrant workers in Kerala. They are from about 25 states across Bharat. In Perumbavoor alone, their strength is estimated to be between 100,000 and 150,000. Keralites believe that thousands of Bangladeshis are among them because, due to the similarity in languages, it is difficult to distinguish who is Indian and who is Bangladeshi.
The mainstream political parties, particularly leaders from the CPM and the Congress, are not ready to call a spade a spade. According to critics, a soft approach towards Bangladeshis is part of minority vote-bank and appeasement politics. Consequently, many people pin their hopes on Hindu organisations, particularly the RSS, BJP and other Sangh-inspired organisations, with regard to this issue.
Concerns Over Illegal Bangladeshis in Kerala
The arrests have once again brought attention to concerns regarding illegal Bangladeshis being settled in Islamic madrasas under the guise of religious education. Security agencies have repeatedly warned that illegal immigrants and anti-national elements should be reported to the local police authorities to help them detect, detain, and deport such individuals.
The issue has also revived concerns raised by several Hindu and nationalist organisations regarding the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals in Kerala.
Organiser has continuously reported on cases linked to illegal Bangladeshi settlements in different parts of Kerala. These arrests are part of wider networks working from the point of origin to the destination, with well-connected networks allegedly supported and coordinated through mosques and madrasas. In this case, the arrested individual was staying in a madrasa, a religious educational institution. When such arrests occur, it is natural to raise doubts about their functioning and the networks associated with them.
There are a number of cases reported from various parts of the country where illegal Bangladeshis are being caught on a daily basis. There are also hundreds of cases in which these Bangladeshi Muslims have allegedly been involved in various anti-national and anti-social activities. They are also indirectly affecting the Indian economy by participating in the unaccounted and black economy, while allegedly depriving poor citizens of their rightful opportunities.
Critics argue that, as they remain outside the formal economic system, they undermine the rights of law-abiding citizens to earn their livelihood through legitimate employment. They are also alleged to be working for lower wages, thereby affecting local employment opportunities and posing a challenge to the local economy.
Centre Constitutes High-Level Committee on Demographic Change
Against the backdrop of national security concerns and illegal immigration, the Union Government has constituted a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons and to recommend policy measures. within one year.
