Strict document verification in Shaheen Bagh and Sangam Vihar spreads fear of discrimination and harassment
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A fresh wave of strict action has been launched against suspected illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants in the national capital, leading to growing concerns among the Muslim community. Under the orders of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the police have escalated operations in areas such as Shaheen Bagh’s Shram Vihar and Sangam Vihar’s A Block, where strict checks on documents and social media activities are being conducted. The effort aims to weed out individuals living illegally in the city, but it has raised alarms over potential discrimination and unjust targeting.
The latest operation, which began with intensive document checks, saw officers going door to door, combing through slum areas, and inspecting the documents of residents. These included Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other identity papers, while individuals were questioned about their duration of stay in Delhi and any possible ties to Bangladesh. In addition to physical document checks, there was a deeper scrutiny of social media profiles and online activities, raising the stakes for residents.
“This operation is part of our larger effort to ensure that the security system of Delhi is robust,” said a police official. The crackdown follows a meeting between Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where the issue of illegal migrants, specifically from Bangladesh and the Rohingya community, was discussed. The chief minister made it clear that the situation needed immediate action to address security concerns surrounding undocumented individuals.
According to Delhi Police, approximately 33 Bangladeshi nationals have already been deported as of February 5, with many more detained and awaiting deportation. The ongoing efforts by the police also involve transferring illegal migrants to detention centres while their deportation processes are carried out. In the past few weeks, the campaign has seen a significant increase in the number of people identified for illegal residency, and the police have assured the public that the crackdown will continue with further operations planned across the city.
“This campaign is crucial for the security of the national capital,” added a senior Delhi Police official. However, despite these assurances, the operation has become a point of concern for the local Muslim population, particularly in areas such as Shaheen Bagh, which has been a flashpoint for protests in the past. The perception that Muslims may be unfairly targeted due to the focus on migrants from Muslim-majority countries has led to fears of discrimination.
The new campaign has spread fears that innocent residents of predominantly Muslim areas could be wrongfully targeted under the broad net of the operation. Local activists have voiced strong concerns about the potential for harassment, particularly as the operation is focused in areas with large Muslim populations. Many community leaders are urging the authorities to exercise caution in their efforts, ensuring that the crackdown does not result in the wrongful profiling of residents based on their ethnicity or religion.
“There must be clear guidelines in place to protect the rights of innocent people. We fear that this operation could lead to harassment and wrongful detentions under the guise of identifying illegal migrants,” said a local community leader. “The police must ensure due diligence is followed, and they should be transparent in conducting these checks.”
Human rights organisations and local activists have also raised alarm about the possibility of racial and religious profiling, as the Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals predominantly come from Muslim-majority backgrounds. The focus on these communities, combined with the sweeping nature of the operation, has led to fears of an erosion of civil liberties for the Muslim population in these areas.
This crackdown has brought renewed attention to the national debate surrounding immigration, security, and the rights of migrants. While the government argues that such measures are necessary to address security concerns, particularly following reports of illegal migration across borders, the Muslim community in Delhi is worried about the growing trend of surveillance and scrutiny directed at them.
“There’s a genuine concern that this operation may target innocent Muslims living in the area, even though they have lived in Delhi for years without any issue. Many people here are law-abiding citizens who have built their lives here,” said a Shaheen Bagh resident, adding that the climate of suspicion could further marginalise an already vulnerable community.
The crackdown’s focus on identifying illegal migrants also feeds into larger fears about the marginalisation of Muslim communities across India. The increased militarisation of migration policies and the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in certain sections of society have intensified the sense of insecurity felt by many Muslims in the city.
The operation’s future course is now under intense scrutiny, with many urging the Delhi government and police to carefully balance national security concerns with the protection of fundamental human rights. While authorities maintain that these measures are necessary for maintaining public safety, community leaders insist that they must be conducted fairly, with proper safeguards to prevent abuse.
The case of the Rohingya refugees, in particular, remains a sensitive topic. Many of these refugees fled Myanmar after enduring severe persecution, and their arrival in India was initially seen as an act of humanitarian need. However, the situation has become more complicated with the growing security concerns and the contentious debate surrounding their status as refugees.
As the crackdown continues, the Delhi government will likely face increasing pressure to address concerns from human rights organisations and local communities. Advocates are calling for a more transparent approach, ensuring that the operation does not result in the unjust detention of people based on their ethnicity, religion, or background.
“While we understand the need to address illegal migration, the authorities must be careful not to infringe upon the rights of the people living here,” said another community leader. “Delhi’s strength lies in its diversity, and we must ensure that this crackdown doesn’t divide our society further.”
