Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a public event in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district, stated that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh residing in India would not face legal cases if they chose to return to their country voluntarily.

He emphasised that the government’s approach is focused on encouraging voluntary repatriation, while simultaneously maintaining a firm stance on detecting, detaining, and deporting illegal immigrants.

Shah remarked that reports in newspapers suggest some individuals are already opting to return voluntarily, and added that state authorities, including those in West Bengal under the BJP, would not initiate legal proceedings against such individuals if they cooperate and leave on their own.Instead, he said, the administration would assist them in the return process.

The Home Minister also criticised the previous West Bengal government led by the Trinamool Congress, accusing it of allowing unchecked infiltration across the border.

He claimed that the new state leadership had acted swiftly by allocating land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for strengthening border fencing, including in sensitive areas such as the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ due to its strategic importance connecting India’s North-East with the rest of the country.

Shah further highlighted that the central government has constituted a high-level committee under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to examine what he described as “unnatural demographic changes” and the causes behind them.

The committee is expected to submit its report within a year and may suggest legal and policy measures, including the possibility of a dedicated legal framework to address illegal immigration.

He also reiterated the government’s broader commitment to securing borders and addressing infiltration concerns as part of national security priorities.