New tensions at the border: What India’s push-ins mean and why Bangladesh must act now

Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a matter of grave concern for Bangladesh has emerged: India's recent push-in of individuals across the border. 

According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 280 individuals into Bangladesh since 6 May. These push-ins are reportedly taking place in remote and uninhabited areas along the borders of Kurigram, Khagrachari, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Chuadanga. 

This move is being widely viewed as a blatant violation of international laws, border protocols, and long-standing bilateral agreements between the two countries.

The BGB's Director General, Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, described the development as a "well-orchestrated and unjust" act. He further stated that India appears to be planning to push in an additional 200 to 300 individuals.

In response, Bangladesh sent a diplomatic note to India on 9 May, expressing deep concern over these incidents. The letter stressed that such actions severely affect national security and generate negative public perceptions. 

It also highlighted that these push-ins violate the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) of 2011, and the agreements reached during Director General-level meetings between the BGB and BSF. 

Bangladesh reiterated that it is willing to repatriate any person proven to be a Bangladeshi citizen through the proper verification process, and any deviation from this procedure could undermine mutual understanding between the two countries.

This is, however, not the first time India has conducted such actions. Though cross-border movement has occurred since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the practice of formally pushing people into Bangladesh under the name of "push-back" operations became more common in the 1990s. During that time, reports frequently surfaced about people being forcibly sent into Bangladesh from India.

One of the most controversial episodes took place in September 1992, when India launched "Operation Push Back," deporting 132 people suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi migrants from New Delhi. The operation, which involved shaving the heads of deportees to mark them, faced international criticism and was suspended within months.

However, what is happening now is unprecedented in recent history in terms of scale and frequency. In past instances, individuals who were pushed in were often quickly returned, but this time, the individuals remain within Bangladeshi territory. 

What is also concerning is the apparent silence within India itself. Despite extensive coverage in the Bangladeshi media, the Indian press has largely ignored these events.

Kirity Roy, a prominent human rights activist and also the founder-secrerary of the Indian organisation Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), which advocates for the rights of border communities, confirmed this lack of awareness. 

He stated that there is no clear information about the origin of the individuals being pushed in and that such actions, if not backed by lawful deportation orders, are highly questionable. 

"This news is repeatedly appearing in Bangladeshi media. However, we are not seeing any such news in our media here. Everyone here is currently preoccupied with the war and is not paying attention to any other news. 

"I have asked our people to inquire about this matter as well, but they haven't been able to report anything significant. However, one thing is certain: these individuals are not from the border regions," Roy said.

He also stressed that all actions should be lawful. "If someone is to be deported from the country, there are laws in India for that. I cannot say whether this has been done through any court order. In the current situation, I have no knowledge about this."

"We have only learned from our media that Bengali-speaking Muslims are being arrested [in late April] in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh on the claim that they are Bangladeshis. We are investigating this and trying to take steps. But those steps will involve collecting their names and taking legal action against them directly, not in the way it is said to be happening now," he added. 

One of the most controversial episodes took place in September 1992, when India launched "Operation Push Back," deporting 132 people suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi migrants from New Delhi. The operation, which involved shaving the heads of deportees to mark them, faced international criticism and was suspended within months.

Altaf Parvez, South and Southeast Asia expert, emphasised on the fact that a large portion of those being pushed in were apprehended from Gujarat. Many of them say they have been living in Gujarat for 30 to 35 years. They may speak Bengali, but many of them also possess Aadhaar cards. 

"How can you assume that someone with an Aadhaar card has come from Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Myanmar? This is truly a reflection of a state's irresponsibility," Parvez said.

He added that India has detained approximately 1,100 people in Gujarat, but there has been no news of India communicating anything to Bangladesh through diplomatic channels regarding these detentions. 

Notably, the push-ins on a large scale began abruptly after India became embroiled in a war with Pakistan on 7 May. According to Parvez, the methods employed—mid-night and early-morning push-ins—collectively reveal an extremely aggressive posture. 

"This behaviour is profoundly inhumane and further highlights India's current anti-Muslim sentiment. There are also Tibetan and Tamil refugees in India, but they are never similarly pushed back to China or Sri Lanka."

He also noted that if Bangladesh attempts to push back these individuals, it could swiftly lead to heightened tensions along the India-Bangladesh border. 

"It is possible that this is precisely what India desires. Having engaged in a four-day conflict with Pakistan after 14 days of preparation, if India now seeks to transfer that tension to the border of a smaller country like Bangladesh, it is profoundly regrettable. In my view, this constitutes a provocative act towards Bangladesh." 

He also speculated that, given the current political instability in Bangladesh, the Indian government might believe that Bangladesh is not in a position to strongly respond to such actions.

"While this government may enjoy some level of popularity, it is not an elected one," he said. "We still do not have a functioning parliament. An elected government, backed by the people's mandate, carries a certain strength and sense of responsibility—it is accountable to its citizens." 

"This government lacks that accountability. A legitimate, elected leadership would likely have responded more proactively, engaged civil society, and possibly raised the issue on international platforms such as the United Nations."

He said that due to the current government's lack of that responsibility, their reaction is comparatively weak. Or, taking a slightly more liberal view, it could also be said that the current government does not want to escalate tensions at the border at this moment. "However, even then, if the language of protest from our side remains weak, push-ins will continue in the future," he warned. 

Meanwhile, security expert Dr Saimum Parvez noted that the India-Bangladesh border is one of the deadliest in the world. He said that the Border Security Force (BSF) has long demonstrated a pattern of trigger happy coercive and lethal tactics to kill Bangladeshis, instead of using proportionate judicial measures to prevent trespassing. 

According to him, the push-ins by the Indian authorities is yet another example of border abuses by India, that hampers two nations' bilateral relations. 

"The Indian government has failed to understand the changes in Bangladesh politics and people's aspirations for democracy and continued supporting the former fascist ruling party and providing refuge to Sheikh Hasina, who is accused of crimes against humanity," Dr Parvez said. 

He further explained that India also seemed to be trying to unnecessarily drag their animosity with Pakistan into Bangladesh's backyard, although there is absolutely no evidence and connections. Incidents like push-ins may give leverage to the extreme nationalist parties like BJP in the domestic politics, but surely further damage bilateral relations with Bangladesh. 

"The Bangladesh government should take stern diplomatic action and enhance security measures at the border to prevent illegal push-in. Also, the Bangladesh government should take action against the Indians who have been working illegally in Bangladesh," he concluded.