‘India Not A Dharamshala’: Amit Shah Hits Out At TMC As Immigration Bill Gets Lok Sabha Nod

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 19:31 IST

The Home Minister further accused the Mamata Banerjee government of issuing Aadhaar cards to Bangladeshis and not giving land to the Centre for fencing work on the border

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was later passed by the Lok Sabha. (Photo: Sansad TV)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action while asserting that India is not a “dharamshala (lodge)”.

Replying in the Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, Shah hit out at the Trinamool Congress over infiltration from the India-Bangladesh border and said the BJP will put an end it after the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls.

“Immigration is not a separate issue. Many issues of the country are linked to it… From the point of view of national security, it is very important to know who enters the nation’s border… We will also keep a close watch on those who will endanger the security of the country…Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala’. If someone comes to the nation to give its contribute to the development of the nation, they are always welcome,” he said.

#WATCH | Delhi | Replying in the Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “…Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala’…If someone comes to the… pic.twitter.com/TBJDwURmN4— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2025

The Home Minister further accused the Mamata Banerjee government of issuing Aadhaar cards to Bangladeshis and not giving land to the Centre for fencing work on the border.

“The fencing work of 450 km is pending because the West Bengal government is not giving land for it… Whenever the process of fencing is done, the ruling party workers indulge in hooliganism and religious sloganeering. The fencing work of 450 km of border has not been completed because the West Bengal government is showing mercy to the infiltrators,” he said.

“Whether Bangladeshi infiltrators or Rohingyas, earlier they used to enter India through Assam when Congress was in power. Now they enter India through West Bengal where TMC is in power. Who issues them Aadhaar cards, citizenship?… All the Bangladeshis who have been caught have Aadhaar cards from 24 Parganas district. You (TMC) issue Aadhaar cards and they come to Delhi with voter cards… In 2026, the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal and we will put an end to this,” he added.

Highlighting the benefit of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Shah said  during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, people from six oppressed communities from neighbouring countries are taking refuge in the country through CAA.

“India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation… Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world’s smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India,” he said.

Lok Sabha Passes The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was later passed by the Lok Sabha. Various amendments moved by Opposition members were negated and the bill was passed by a voice vote.

The proposed legislation is aimed at streamlining various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit and stay in India.

The entry, stay and exit of foreigners from India are currently governed by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.

While Indian visas of all categories to foreigners can be granted in physical or sticker form by Indian missions or posts located abroad, the Bureau of Immigration grants electronic visas under seven categories to people from 167 countries.

Besides, visa-on-arrival is granted by immigration authorities at six designated airports to nationals of three countries — Japan, South Korea and the UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-visa or regular or paper visa for India).

Opposition Says Law Would Give ‘Arbitrary Powers’ To Immigration Authorities

Opposition MPs Thursday claimed that some provisions of the bill seeking to streamline various services related to immigration and foreigners give “arbitrary powers” to immigration authorities and demanded it should be sent to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed scrutiny.

Initiating a debate on the Bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari said that its provisions give “arbitrary powers” to the government for exempting certain foreigners from the law. He also criticized a provision that makes the decision of an immigration officer final and binding.

“This essentially means there is no appeal, no argument, and no lawyer. Whatever the immigration officer decides will be absolute,” he said.

Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N. K. Premachandran said the entire opposition demanded that the Bill (Immigration and Foreigners Bill) be referred to the standing or select committee since there are a lot of contentious provisions in it. “When we make a Bill in 2025, it has to be in tune with the present situation… The imposition of it will adversely impact the fact that India is being considered a destination for foreign investments and medical tourism… Many corrections have to be done,” he said.

News politics ‘India Not A Dharamshala’: Amit Shah Hits Out At TMC As Immigration Bill Gets Lok Sabha Nod

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