A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a historic majority in West Bengal, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman warned that Dhaka would respond firmly if incidents of alleged “push-ins” of Bengali-speaking Muslims increase under the new state government.
“If any kind of push-in incident occurs after the change of power in West Bengal, then Bangladesh will take appropriate measures,” Rahman said while briefing reporters at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka following a meeting with a United States delegation. His remarks were also shared by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its official Facebook page.
The term “push-in”, referred to in India as “pushback”, describes allegations that Indian border forces forcibly send individuals across the India-Bangladesh border into Bangladeshi territory. The Indian government has faced scrutiny over claims of systemic bias against Bengali-speaking Muslims, who are often labelled as “Bangladeshi infiltrators” without due process. Critics argue that such actions are discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Over the years, multiple allegations — including cases brought before the Supreme Court of India — have accused security personnel of targeting Bengali Muslims by branding them as Bangladeshi nationals and expelling them across the border despite possessing valid documents.
Bangladesh has repeatedly condemned such actions as violations of its sovereignty. According to Prothom Alo, the Indian Border Security Force pushed 2,479 people into Bangladesh between 7 May 2025 and 26 January 2026. Of these, Border Guard Bangladesh later identified at least 120 individuals as Indian citizens.
Dhaka’s concerns come amid the BJP’s aggressive campaign rhetoric in West Bengal, where senior leaders repeatedly raised the issue of alleged illegal immigration. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition and widely expected to become the next Chief Minister, centred much of his campaign on “Bangladeshi infiltrators” and Rohingya migrants.
In July 2025, Adhikari stated that “Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslim intruders” should first be removed from electoral rolls and then expelled from the country, asserting that not a single such individual would be allowed to remain. He claimed that nearly 1 crore (10 million) entries in West Bengal’s voter list comprised Rohingya immigrants, Bangladeshi Muslim voters, deceased persons, duplicates, and fake voters. He also demanded a Special Intensive Revision similar to that conducted in Bihar.
Adhikari further warned that without intervention, West Bengal could turn into “Greater Bangladesh” due to demographic changes. In December 2025, he led a protest march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, where he declared that Bangladesh should be “taught a lesson like Israel taught Gaza” and threatened to obstruct the functioning of the mission.
The BJP’s campaign coincided with a controversial revision of electoral rolls, during which nearly nine million voters were removed. Reports indicated that around one-third of those excluded were Muslims. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who campaigned alongside Adhikari, also made public remarks about pushing people across the border.
Responding to such statements, Rahman said Bangladesh had previously lodged protests and would continue to pursue diplomatic measures. On April 30, Dhaka summoned India’s acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe over Sarma’s comments, calling them “counterproductive” and urging Indian political leaders to exercise restraint on sensitive bilateral matters. This marked the first formal protest by the new BNP-led government since assuming office.
Rahman also addressed the long-pending Teesta water-sharing dispute. The proposed agreement has remained stalled since 2011, when former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed the deal, citing concerns for farmers in the state.
On whether the BJP’s victory could revive negotiations, Rahman said it was too early to speculate until the new government clarified its stance. He emphasised that communities along the Teesta River are facing severe ecological and economic challenges and that Bangladesh would explore all available options to safeguard its interests.
Dhaka also reiterated its commitment to the Chinese-backed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, which focuses on dredging and embankment works. India had earlier proposed financing the project during former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra’s visit to Dhaka in May 2024, a move widely seen as an attempt to counter Chinese influence near the strategically significant Siliguri Corridor.
These developments come as India and Bangladesh attempt to rebuild ties following a period of strain after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 during a mass uprising. Relations further deteriorated during the transition led by interim administration head Muhammad Yunus.