Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that illegal infiltrators living in India would not face legal action if they voluntarily return to their home countries, while reiterating the Centre’s commitment to identifying, detaining, and deporting every illegal immigrant staying in the country. The remarks were made during a public event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where Shah spoke about border security, illegal immigration, and demographic concerns.
According to Shah, individuals who entered India illegally and choose to leave on their own will not face prosecution. However, he made it clear that the government remains determined to identify and remove illegal infiltrators who continue to stay in the country unlawfully.
The Home Minister stated that the Narendra Modi government has adopted a firm policy against illegal immigration and is working to establish mechanisms for detecting, detaining, and deporting infiltrators. He said the Centre has already constituted a high-level committee to address concerns related to demographic changes and illegal migration.
Shah particularly referred to infiltration from across the Bangladesh border and claimed that such activities have been aimed at creating demographic imbalances in certain regions. He asserted that the government would not allow illegal immigration to influence the country’s social or political landscape.
During his speech, Shah also praised efforts to strengthen border security and highlighted plans for a technology-driven “smart border” system along India’s borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan. The proposed project is expected to use advanced surveillance and monitoring systems to prevent illegal crossings and improve border management.
The Home Minister further claimed that infiltration in some border states has already started declining due to stricter enforcement measures and increased coordination between security agencies and local administrations.
Shah’s comments come amid growing political debate over illegal immigration, voter verification exercises, border management, and demographic concerns in several states, particularly West Bengal and Assam. The issue has remained a major political theme for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially in regions bordering Bangladesh.
Over the past few months, Shah has repeatedly stressed that the government will identify and deport illegal infiltrators if they are found staying in India without valid documentation. He has also linked infiltration to national security concerns and accused opposition parties of using the issue for political purposes.
The latest statement is being viewed as an attempt to combine a strict enforcement policy with an offer of voluntary exit for those residing illegally in the country. While promising no legal action for individuals who leave voluntarily, Shah maintained that the government’s broader objective remains the complete removal of illegal infiltrators from India.
The remarks are expected to further intensify political discussions around immigration, border security, citizenship verification, and demographic issues ahead of upcoming elections in several states.
