Bangladeshis on prowl: They have rights in India

By Jamal Ansari

India's policies on immigrants and refugees remain a paradox. Tibetans have been allowed to stay in the country. The Government has provided shelter to Sri Lankan Tamils; similarly, protection has been given to Chakmas in Arunachal Pradesh. The situation becomes more complicated when one analyses two trends. Afghans have been allowed to reside in India and are treated well, despite the fact that the political situation in Afghanistan has never been favourable towards Indians. Likewise, Bangladeshis were welcomed into India when it was engaged in Bangladesh's liberation from erstwhile West Pakistan. The uncomfortable conclusion is that Muslim immigration was allowed whenever that suited the Government of India. This is not a healthy trend.