New Delhi: Illegal Bangladeshi migration in Delhi has become a significant socio-economic and political issue, impacting infrastructure, public services, and local communities. A report accessed by The Sunday Guardian states that Delhi, as India’s capital and a major urban hub, attracts many migrants seeking better economic opportunities.
These concerns were outlined in a JNU report, overseen by Professor Manuradha Chaudhary and Professor Preeti D. Das. The report notes that illegal migration from Bangladesh has continued since the 1947 Partition, surged after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and persists due to environmental crises. The porous Indo-Bangladesh border allows unauthorized entry, with migrants depending on social networks, smugglers, and informal jobs.
The availability of low-wage jobs in provide livelihoods, they also heighten competition with local workers, leading to wage suppression and economic disparities.
Furthermore, the influx of migrants has led to the expansion of unauthorized settlements in areas such as Seelampur and Okhla, often lacking basic amenities. Overcrowded public hospitals and schools struggle to accommodate both locals and migrants. The rising demand for housing, transportation, and sanitation strains Delhi’s infrastructure, while rapid informal settlement growth creates urban planning challenges, environmental risks, and logistical issues for civic authorities.
The report also highlights friction between local communities and migrants, as differences in language, traditions, and social practices fuel misunderstandings and resentment.
Moreover, illegal migration is frequently linked to security concerns.
Moreover, illegal migration is often linked to security concerns, as some undocumented migrants, due to economic hardship and lack of legal employment opportunities, become involved in criminal activities. Reports of theft, drug trafficking, and human trafficking have heightened fears regarding illegal migration.