In a significant development in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy declared that the state government will establish a special squad to identify and expel illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. This announcement came during a session on Thursday, where Reddy was responding on behalf of Home Minister G Parameshwara to a calling-attention motion raised by independent MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.
Controversial Claims in the Assembly
Independent MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who was previously expelled from the BJP, made startling allegations during the assembly debate. He contended that there are approximately 25 lakh illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants residing in Bengaluru, describing the situation as terrifying. According to Yatnal, these immigrants are employed in various sectors, including shopping malls and security services, and he accused them of forging essential documents such as ration and Aadhaar cards.
Allegations of Facilitation and Security Concerns
Yatnal further claimed that agents operate in all districts of Karnataka to facilitate this illegal immigration, blaming police and intelligence failures for the influx. He expressed concerns that if left unchecked, Karnataka could face a situation similar to West Bengal, where he alleged Hindus lack protection. Additionally, Yatnal demanded a state government survey to identify these immigrants, noting that Hindu activists who attempt to expose them often face harassment.
Government Response and Clarifications
In response, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy appeared to downplay the scale of the issue, questioning the claim of 25 lakh illegal immigrants in Bengaluru, given the city's population of around one crore. He highlighted the diversity of Bengaluru's residents, pointing out that many people from other Indian states are often mistaken for immigrants.
Reddy provided a breakdown of the population:
- People from the seven northeastern states, who are not Bangladeshis
- Eight to 10 lakh individuals from West Bengal
- Seven to eight lakh from Bihar
- Residents from states such as Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala
Historical Context and Future Actions
Recalling similar allegations from his tenure as home minister, Reddy mentioned that a special squad was previously formed to identify illegal immigrants working in estates in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts. He affirmed the government's commitment, stating, Even now, if required, we will form a squad to identify and expel them. However, he emphasized that preventing illegal immigrants from entering the state is primarily the responsibility of the Central Government.
This move by the Karnataka government underscores ongoing concerns about immigration and security, sparking debates on federal-state roles in managing such issues. The formation of the special squad aims to address these challenges while balancing the need for accurate identification to avoid targeting legitimate residents from other parts of India.
