India Accused of Unlawful Expulsions of Muslims and Rohingya Refugees

This photo was Captured By Saiful Arakani Rohingya journalist in 2017 in riverbank when Rohingya were crossing the hazardous way to access Bangladesh.

Fortify Rights has urged the Indian government to immediately end its campaign of forced expulsions targeting Indian Muslim citizens and Rohingya refugees.

Over recent months, Indian authorities have been accused of arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, and forced deportations even against individuals with valid Indian citizenship or refugee documents. This crackdown is part of an intensified “illegal immigrant” verification drive.

“These actions not only violate international human rights law but deepen the dangerous marginalization of Muslims and refugees in India,”

John Quinley, Director, Fortify Rights

Mass Deportations Since May 2025

In May 2025, India’s Home Ministry ordered all states and union territories to verify the status of “suspected illegal immigrants.” Since then, mass raids and expulsions have escalated:

Over 1,800 people forced into Bangladesh since May 7, according to Bangladesh government data.

Indian officials report over 2,000 expulsions in total.

Fortify Rights documented torture, beatings, and coercive removal between May and July 2025, interviewing victims, family members, lawyers, and border officers.

Victims Speak Out

One 50-year-old Indian Muslim teacher from Assam described his ordeal:

“On May 23, I was asked to report to the police station. As soon as I arrived, I was detained. I told them I was born in India and worked as a government teacher. They tied my hands, blindfolded me, and drove me to the border. The BSF fired rubber bullets at us in no man’s land to push us into Bangladesh. I never thought I’d be made a foreigner in my own country.”

A woman from Assam said her father with complete proof of Indian citizenship was still expelled:

“We are Indians. We are being thrown out of our country. Why was my father sent to Bangladesh when he had all the documents?”

Dangerous Sea Pushbacks

Some deportees were forced into coastal waters near the India–Bangladesh maritime border. On May 8, 2025, speedboats reportedly left more than 70 people at sea, forcing them to swim ashore in Bangladesh.

Rohingya Refugees Also Targeted

Fortify Rights reports that Rohingya refugees in India are also being detained and expelled to Bangladesh, in violation of India’s international human rights obligations.

“India is stripping Indian Muslim citizens and Rohingya refugees of their rights. Despite its obligations under international law, India continues to violate these commitments through a series of disturbing official laws and policies tinged with ethno-religious supremacism,”

John Quinley, Fortify Rights

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