Karnataka's Home Minister, Dr. G Parameshwara, delivered a firm stance on Wednesday, declaring that the state government will not offer alternative housing or any other facilities to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants identified during police verification drives. Such individuals, he stated, will face deportation.
Political Allegations Spark Firm Response
The minister's statement came as a direct response to allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The opposition had claimed that individuals displaced during a recent demolition drive at Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Parameshwara advised the BJP against making what he termed "passing comments" and said the party was free to protest if it had legitimate objections.
The identification process is now set to begin formally. "The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will prepare a list of people who lost shelters in the Kogilu Layout demolition drive," Parameshwara explained. "Police will verify the list and the background of each person to determine their origin, how long they have been in Bengaluru, and their period of stay at the site."
Verification Process and Statewide Drive
He outlined the consequences clearly: if any illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are found, the police will secure them and initiate deportation procedures. Those involved in criminal activities will be arrested. The minister explicitly ruled out any state support, reiterating, "The govt will not provide alternative housing or any other benefits to Bangladeshi nationals if found."
Parameshwara also emphasized that the identification of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants is an ongoing process across Karnataka, not limited to Bengaluru. He revealed that police have directed coffee estate owners in the state to verify the backgrounds of their labourers and submit details to local police stations. Police teams are conducting periodic visits to these estates to check for the presence of Bangladeshi nationals.
Opposition's 'Mini Bangladesh' Allegation
The political confrontation intensified with BJP leader and former home minister R Ashoka launching a sharp attack on the Congress government. After visiting Kogilu Layout, Ashoka accused the Siddaramaiah-led administration of creating a 'mini Bangladesh' in Karnataka due to its appeasement politics.
He alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is encouraging large-scale encroachment and illegal settlements. Ashoka pointed to Google Maps imagery, claiming it showed no houses in the area a year ago, suggesting the settlements emerged only in the last six months. He questioned how electricity connections were provided to these structures so rapidly.
"The govt led by Siddaramaiah is creating mini Bangladeshis in Karnataka. After fooling Kannadigas for so long, they are now building a mini Bangladesh in the state," Ashoka charged. Parameshwara countered these remarks, stating that Ashoka, being a former home minister familiar with legal procedures, was making such comments purely for political reasons.
