Suvendu government’s crackdown on illegal immigration is a strategic shock for Jamaat

The landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, securing 207 seats and forming the government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has sent ripples across the border into Bangladesh.

For the Islamist political outfit Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, which made significant gains in districts adjacent to West Bengal during its own country’s February 2026 general elections, this development represents a strategic setback. Jamaat’s unease is palpable, manifesting in swift demands to summon the Indian envoy over alleged persecution of Muslims in India.

This reaction stems from deep-seated concerns over tightened border security, disrupted networks of influence, and the potential disruption of long-standing modules of infiltration and demographic engineering. West Bengal shares a 2,217-kilometre porous border with Bangladesh, much of it unfenced until now.

The BJP’s decisive win in this key border state, coupled with immediate and decisive policy actions, threatens the operational space Jamaat has cultivated over years through its network of madrasas and control over border constituencies.

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Strong Crackdown on Infiltration

The Suvendu Adhikari government has moved with remarkable speed and resolve to deal with infiltration very strongly. Within hours of taking the oath, it initiated concrete measures on multiple fronts. In its first cabinet meeting, the government approved the transfer of approximately 600 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for completing the fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. The fencing process has already begun and is set for completion within 45 days, targeting the remaining unfenced stretches that previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments under Mamata Banerjee had allegedly delayed. This move directly addresses the “steadily changing demography” in bordering districts of West Bengal.

Simultaneously, deportation of illegal immigrants has begun from every district. District administrations, in coordination with police and central agencies, have started identifying and initiating action against those staying without valid documents. This multi-pronged approach — fencing, enhanced surveillance, and systematic deportations — signals a zero-tolerance policy that was long overdue.

Jamaat-e-Islami, historically rooted in the ideology of Syed Abul Ala Maududi, has long positioned itself as a vanguard of political Islam in Bangladesh. In the 2026 elections, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman secured a majority, Jamaat emerged as the principal opposition with strong wins in border areas like Satkhira, Khulna, Jessore, Kushtia, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions. Many of these seats form a contiguous arc along the Indian frontier, where Jamaat leveraged rural conservative sentiments, madrasa networks, and local influence.

The party’s performance raised alarms in India about potential radicalisation and cross-border activities. Now, with BJP rule in West Bengal and the Adhikari government’s aggressive actions on infiltration, Jamaat faces the prospect of a coordinated central-state approach to border management that could dismantle its leverage.

Border Fencing and Deportations: A Direct Challenge

The ongoing border fencing and district-level deportation drives are a direct challenge to the ecosystem Jamaat has allegedly benefited from. Its strongholds in Bangladesh’s western and northern border districts have facilitated networks involved in illegal immigration, document forgery, and influence operations. With porous borders now being rapidly sealed and illegal immigrants facing deportation across West Bengal, these conduits are under severe pressure. BJP leaders have long highlighted security threats from unchecked infiltration, and the fresh electoral mandate has enabled this decisive action.

Demographic and Security Concerns

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2024 underscores the scale of the issue. Bangladeshi nationals accounted for the highest number of foreign nationals arrested in criminal cases across India at 3,091, far ahead of Nigerians (509), Nepalis (476), and Myanmar nationals (245). West Bengal recorded the highest number of such crimes among states at 992. A significant portion involved violations under the Foreigners Act and Passport Act, pointing to illegal entry and identity fraud networks.

Jamaat’s influence in border districts, through madrasas and local political dominance, has been linked to these patterns. The party’s electoral success in these areas reflects consolidated support that could sustain such activities. The BJP’s victory, followed by the swift rollout of fencing and deportations, now threatens to disrupt this ecosystem, forcing Jamaat to confront a far more vigilant neighbour.

Jamaat’s Reactive Posturing

Jamaat’s demand to summon the Indian High Commissioner reflects defensive manoeuvring. Senior figures criticised the Bangladeshi government’s “inaction” on alleged Muslim persecution in India, particularly in bordering states. This rhetoric aims to rally domestic support and internationalise the narrative, but it also reveals vulnerability. With the BNP in power, Jamaat, as opposition, seeks to position itself as the defender of Islamist interests against perceived Indian assertiveness.

The party’s historical baggage — including its opposition to Bangladesh’s independence and past associations — makes it sensitive to shifts in Indian policy. A BJP-led West Bengal government, aligned with the Centre and executing strong anti-infiltration measures, signals zero tolerance for infiltration and radical networks. This convergence deeply worries Jamaat, which thrived under previous political ambiguities.

Bilateral Ties and Regional Stability

The developments carry broader implications. Enhanced border security and ongoing deportations could strain people-to-people ties in the short term but will ultimately strengthen national integrity on both sides. For India, securing the frontier is non-negotiable amid documented threats. For Bangladesh, the BNP government must balance relations with India while managing Jamaat’s opposition pressure.

Jamaat’s border dominance raises questions about long-term ideological export. Its gains in constituencies with notable Hindu populations have drawn scrutiny regarding minority security and voting patterns. India cannot ignore these dynamics, especially with a history of porous borders.

Time for Stringent Policy

India must maintain a firm stance toward Jamaat-linked activities. The Adhikari government’s swift actions on fencing and district-wise deportations have set a clear tone. Complementary measures — strengthened intelligence, continued deportation drives, and crackdowns on fake documents — are essential. Diplomatic engagement with Dhaka should emphasise mutual security without compromising sovereignty.

The BJP’s Bengal victory marks a turning point. It has empowered a government committed to reversing demographic shifts and infiltration. Jamaat’s unease is justified; its modules now face systematic disruption. For regional stability, a secure border benefits both nations by curbing extremism and illegal flows.

As fencing proceeds rapidly and deportations gather pace from every district, Bangladesh’s political actors, particularly Jamaat, must recalibrate. Rhetoric alone cannot substitute for addressing root causes of cross-border tensions. India’s priority remains clear: national security first. The porous era ends; a vigilant one begins.

(Sayantan Ghosh is a professor and author of two books, ‘Battleground Bengal’ and ‘The Aam Aadmi Party’. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.)