An ATS official reported receiving a crucial tip-off that led to a targeted operation by the Vikhroli unit in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai. The operation focused on two specific sites: Janai Compound and the Shivaji Talao area. During this meticulous operation, five Bangladeshi nationals were detained, none of whom possessed legitimate documents or permits to reside in India. These individuals had been working as masons in Navi Mumbai, which highlights not only the scope of illegal immigration but also the infiltration of such individuals into the local workforce.

Following their detention, these immigrants were arrested under the stringent provisions of the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Rules of 1950. This legal action underscores the Indian government's resolve to enforce its immigration laws and secure its borders against unauthorized entry.

Simultaneously, on the same day, March 31st, further south in Assam, the Mankachar police made another significant arrest. An illegal Bangladeshi national, Osama Bin Hasan Sajib, who had been residing in the region for eight months, was apprehended. Sajib, the son of Manzoorul Hasan from Veluya village in the Sherpur district of Bangladesh, was discovered hiding at Khalilur Miah’s home in Jhanjhani village, Mankachar. His entry into India was traced back to crossing the border from Mahendraganj in Meghalaya approximately eight months prior.

During his time in India, Sajib engaged in 'faith healing' practices across Mankachar and other parts of Meghalaya. The presence and activities of Sajib and similar cases of illegal immigrants highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Home Ministry. These incidents emphasize the complexities of managing internal security and the continuous threat posed by illegal immigration, which not only jeopardizes legal frameworks but also poses significant social and security risks. Reports from various parts of the country confirm that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants often become involved in activities that lead to disturbances and challenges in law and order, exacerbating the issues confronting the Home Ministry in its efforts to safeguard the nation's internal safety.

How Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants Have Been Indulging in Criminal Activities in India

The incident highlighted by the 'fact-check' from Alt News was intended to question the validity of the reports concerning the violent attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh amidst its political chaos. However, this investigation by Mohammad Zubair and Alt News inadvertently revealed the harsh realities of the crimes committed by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, showing that their disregard for law and order transcends borders. In a Hindu-majority India, just as in Bangladesh, these individuals displayed brazen acts of violence, with the circulated video shockingly showcasing the brutal assault of a woman by these illegal immigrants.

Moreover, this 'fact-check' unexpectedly serves as a stark warning about the potential future challenges India might face if stringent measures are not taken against the illegal immigrant population, including the Rohingyas harbored within its borders. Without decisive action to deport these groups back to their countries, the threat they pose could escalate. The majority of these immigrants are described as being steeped in extreme ideologies, with inclinations towards Islamic supremacism and motivations for jihad, which could lead to further destabilization of the region, as both historical evidence and current events in Bangladesh suggest.

In attempting to counter claims of Islamist violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Mohammed Zubair has also been linked to broader controversies. His actions have been controversial, particularly his rhetoric against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, which incited a severe diplomatic fallout for India and sparked the 'Sar Tan Se Juda' protests. These protests tragically resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including Kanhaiya Lal of Udaipur and Umesh Kolhe of Amravati. Zubair’s approach to portraying these incidents in Bangladesh as mere 'right-wing propaganda' has been heavily criticized for apparently trying to downplay the severity and implications of these attacks on Hindu minorities.

However, truth eventually caught up with him, as Bangladeshi Hindus came forth and shared their ordeal with the world. The videos and pictures of Islamists going on rampage against Hindus in Bangladesh, defiling their temples and desecrating their idols, violating their women, and killing their men debunked his propaganda that Bangladeshi Hindus were safe and not subjected to religious persecution. These powerful images and firsthand accounts provided a stark contradiction to the narratives that sought to minimize the severity of their circumstances.

Amidst the unrest in the neighbouring country, Islamists saw an opportunity to kill and torture the minority Hindus in the country and loot their properties. This chaotic situation not only facilitated widespread violence but also encouraged targeted attacks on Hindu communities, exacerbating the already dire human rights situation in the region. One of the most devastating stories coming from Bangladesh is of famous Bangladeshi singer Rahul Ananda whose house was looted and burnt down by an Islamist mob. The attack not only resulted in significant loss of property but also in the displacement of his family, which highlights the personal and communal impact of the ongoing violence.

On the afternoon of 5th August, an Islamist mob reached the house of the singer and frontman of the band Joler Gaan, Rahul Ananda. He was living in a rental house that was attacked. When the attack happened, Rahul, his wife Shukla, his son Tota, and other family members were there. Somehow, they managed to escape and took shelter at an unknown location. Their harrowing escape from a violent mob bent on destruction underscores the perilous situation faced by many Hindus in Bangladesh today, forcing them to flee their homes and seek safety in anonymity, away from the violence that has engulfed their lives.

Speaking to The Daily Star, a family source described the harrowing scene: “As soon as they had broken the gate, they started ravaging the house taking whatever they could find for themselves. They took everything from furniture and mirrors to valuables. After that, they torched the whole house and Rahul da’s musical instruments.” This act of violence not only resulted in the loss of personal and valuable property but also marked a deep cultural loss. There were around 3,000 irreplaceable musical instruments at the house which he designed and made over the years. The sheer number of instruments highlights not only their personal significance but also their cultural importance, reflecting years of dedication and artistic expression.

The monetary value of the household items lost could be close to Tk 10 lakh, but as Jarnal poignantly noted, “But how could you put a price on the instruments which he so lovingly built?” This statement underscores the profound personal and emotional impact of the destruction, which far surpasses the financial loss. These instruments were not merely objects but were extensions of Rahul Ananda's passion and heritage, painstakingly crafted over many years.

The incident involving Rahul Ananda, a renowned singer who has brought pride to Bangladesh, starkly illustrates the severe and indiscriminate nature of the attacks by Islamists. If such a prominent figure, who has contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of the nation, was not spared, it casts a grim reflection on the vulnerability of ordinary Hindus in Bangladesh. These individuals, who do not have the visibility or the resources that someone like Ananda might possess, are even more susceptible to such brutal acts of violence. Their plight is often exacerbated by their limited means to recover or protect themselves, leaving them particularly defenseless against such targeted aggression solely based on their religious identity. This ongoing situation reflects a dire need for greater protection and intervention to safeguard these communities and preserve the diverse cultural heritage of the nation.