Illegal Immigration Causing Increase Of Muslim Population: JNU Report
Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, the Jawaharlal Nehru University report on Illegal immigrants in Delhi revealed that the migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar has altered Delhi-NCR’s socio-political and economic fabric, causing a “notable increase of Muslim population”.
The JNU report elaborated on how such influx of illegal settlers has not only transformed the city’s demographics but disrupted its economy, strained the resources, and also strengthened criminal networks by feeding into it.
The report also claimed that the political patronage provided to illegal immigrants, including the facilitation of voter registration, has raised concerns about electoral manipulation and democratic integrity.
The 114-page report titled – Illegal Immigrants to Delhi: Analysing Socio-economic and Political Consequences also mentioned that Illegal immigration has heightened the risk of public health crises, as overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in migrant settlements contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
“The presence of undocumented migrants complicates disaster response and crisis management, as these populations are often excluded from official relief efforts during emergencies,” it said.
It also asserted that the porous India-Bangladesh border remains a major challenge for managing illegal immigration, with inadequate border control enabling the continued influx of migrants.
The JNU report pointed out that the lack of a comprehensive immigration policy in India has made it difficult to address the root causes of illegal migration and implement effective solutions.
“Migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar often face discrimination and hostility from local populations, further complicating their integration into Delhi’s social fabric, which creates a higher level of social tension,” the report said.
It also highlighted that Illegal immigration has geopolitical implications, affecting India’s relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar. “Collaborative efforts are needed to address cross-border migration issues,” it said.
Mentioning that the rising population density in Delhi due to migration has strained public transportation systems, the report also mentioned that the environmental impact of migrant settlements includes unregulated waste disposal, which contributes to pollution and public health hazards.
According to the findings in the JNU report, the Illegal immigration has contributed to the proliferation of criminal networks, which exploit vulnerable migrants for activities such as smuggling and trafficking.
“Efforts to deport illegal immigrants are often delayed by bureaucratic challenges the lack of cooperation from migrants’ home countries, and the approach of Delhi National capital territory,” it said.
The report further highlighted that the lack of reliable data on migration trends and migrant populations in Delhi hampers effective policymaking and resource allocation, emphasising the need for better data collection and analysis.
Speaking on the report, BJP MP Sambit Patra targeted the AAP and claimed that it has a “crucial” role in this.
“This report states that there has been a notable increase of Muslim population because of illegal migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar. There is a change in the demography of the city, it is said in the report…Every aspect including socio-political impact has been mentioned in this report…The report says that political patronage plays a crucial role in allowing a steady influx of undocumented Rohingyas and Bangladeshis…AAP has a crucial role in this. The report also talks about how these political parties are facilitating fake voter registration for the migrants,” Patra said.
Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar had questioned Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the issue of Rohingya immigrants in India, holding them accountable for the settlement of Rohingyas in the country. Kakkar stated that if Rohingyas are present anywhere in India, it is Shah’s responsibility, while Puri is to blame for the settlement of Rohingyas in Delhi. (ANI)
