New Delhi : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticized the central government, alleging that it is deliberately targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims in India by branding them as “illegal foreigners.” The CPI(M) claims this is part of a broader campaign to marginalize minorities and alter the demographic landscape in certain regions.
As per a report by the Madhyamam, the CPI(M) said the government’s actions are unjust and discriminatory, particularly in states like Assam and West Bengal, where several Bengali-origin Muslims have faced harassment, detentions, and even threats of deportation. The party accused the authorities of using tools like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Foreigners Tribunals to selectively target a particular linguistic and religious community.
“The pattern of identifying Bengali Muslims as foreigners, without adequate legal basis or fair investigation, points towards a communal agenda that undermines constitutional values and human rights,” said a CPI(M) spokesperson.
Human rights activists and civil society groups have echoed these concerns, warning that the branding of Bengali Muslims as “illegal” not only violates their rights but also threatens to divide communities on ethnic and religious lines.
The CPI(M) has demanded an immediate halt to such profiling and urged the government to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religion or language, are treated equally under the law.
