Dhaka, June 17, 2026
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Indian authorities of unlawfully expelling ethnic Bengali residents, mostly Muslims from West Bengal, to Bangladesh without due process, leaving dozens of families stranded along the border
In a report released on Tuesday, the rights organization alleged that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) had attempted to push more than 200 people into Bangladesh since June 1. Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) reportedly thwarted 21 such attempts across several border districts.
According to HRW, many of those targeted claimed to be Indian citizens possessing official identity documents, including Aadhaar cards. Witnesses described incidents in which families, including women and children, were left for hours or days in the “zero line” between the two countries after Bangladesh refused entry and Indian forces prevented their return.
The report cited a 75-hour standoff in Panchagarh involving 10 people, including children, who remained stranded in harsh weather conditions before being taken back by Indian authorities. Similar incidents were reported in Thakurgaon and other border areas.
HRW alleged that the actions were linked to a policy of identifying and deporting alleged “illegal immigrants” following recent political developments in India’s West Bengal state.
Bangladesh has maintained that any return of individuals must follow legal verification procedures and established bilateral mechanisms.
“Indian authorities are cruelly dumping families into Bangladesh or leaving them stranded at the border,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, urging India to halt unlawful expulsions and uphold international human rights obligations.
