Suvendu Adhikari Calls Hindu Migrants Refugees, Not Infiltrators

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India from neighboring countries should not be described as infiltrators but as refugees.

He made the remarks Saturday, August 1, at an event marking the launch of the 16th digital population census in West Bengal.

Referring to provisions of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the BJP leader said people from the listed religious communities who came to India from Bangladesh fall under the legal framework for refugees.

Adhikari also referred to a September 1, 2025 notification issued by the Indian government. He said refugees who entered India by December 31, 2014, because of religious persecution or threats to their lives should not face criminal cases or harassment by police.

“Illegal infiltrators will not stay in this state or country,” Adhikari said, adding that authorities were identifying such people through established legal procedures and taking steps to send them back.

He said the responsibility of providing protection to illegal infiltrators did not lie with India.

Adhikari also referred to what he described as mistakes made under previous governments. He cited an incident in Birbhum in which an Indian citizen allegedly faced difficulties during such a process but was later returned.

“Our government will ensure that no genuine Indian citizen faces even the slightest difficulty in this process,” he said.

The remarks come amid continuing political debate in West Bengal over citizenship, migration from Bangladesh and the implementation of the CAA.