Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked a major controversy after openly describing how alleged illegal immigrants are “pushed back” across the border into Bangladesh, drawing sharp diplomatic reaction from Dhaka.
In an interview, Sarma explained that deporting suspected Bangladeshi nationals through official channels is difficult. “Pushing back even a single Bangladeshi is not easy,” he said, adding that Bangladesh often does not accept them.
“There is no extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh,” he claimed. However, India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in 2013, providing a legal framework for repatriation of individuals accused or convicted of crimes.
“We take them and push them across the border”
Describing the process, Sarma said such “pushbacks” are carried out at night in areas where Bangladeshi border forces are not present.
“We take them to a convenient location near the border and literally push them across,” he said. “That is called a pushback.”
He added that suspected individuals are often held by the Border Security Force for days while authorities identify locations along the border without the presence of the Border Guard Bangladesh.
Defending the practice, Sarma cited a Supreme Court order allowing eviction of suspected non-citizens. “Since it allows eviction, we started pushbacks,” he said, while acknowledging that the order does not specify how such expulsions should be carried out.
Remarks spark diplomatic protest
The comments triggered a strong reaction from Bangladesh, which summoned India’s acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe in Dhaka and lodged an official protest.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry termed the remarks “disparaging” and said they undermine the spirit of bilateral relations. Officials also urged restraint in public statements on sensitive issues.
The development comes at a time when ties between India and Bangladesh are in a delicate phase following political changes in Dhaka.
Debate over legality and human rights
Sarma’s remarks have also raised questions about the legality of such actions and adherence to due process.
When asked whether the practice was legally sound, the Chief Minister responded, “You don’t know the reality of what forces do,” suggesting such measures are part of ground-level enforcement.
He also indicated that creating pressure could lead to self-deportation. “An environment should be created so that people leave on their own,” he said.
Political and diplomatic implications
The issue of alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh has remained a key political theme in Assam, especially during elections. Sarma reiterated that official deportation processes are slow and dependent on approvals from both governments.
However, his candid remarks about informal “pushback” operations have now escalated into a diplomatic issue, with Bangladesh formally objecting and calling the statements harmful to relations.
India has not yet issued an official response to Dhaka’s protest.
