– Mohd.Naushad Khan
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, strongly condemned the recent expulsion of 148 people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims. In a statement released Thursday, PUCL called the act a serious human rights violation and a clear breach of both Indian and international laws.
PUCL said the individuals were picked up by Rajasthan Police from Sikar and Kotputli. They were then handed to the BSF in Jodhpur and flown to the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. PUCL described this as a “forcible pushback” without any legal or judicial process.
The group criticized what it sees as a dangerous new policy trend. They referred to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s 10 May statement, where he took credit for expelling 30–40 people. He called it an “innovative” method that avoids court procedures. PUCL said this is illegal and unconstitutional.
“The government is targeting a weak community after the Pahalgam attack,” PUCL said. “This is collective punishment without due process and shifts focus from national security lapses.”
PUCL cited the Supreme Court ruling in State of Arunachal Pradesh vs. Union of India, which says all people, citizens or not, have rights to equality and dignity. It also reminded the government of India’s global commitments against arbitrary expulsion and mass deportations.
PUCL said people were held without reason in six detention centres across Rajasthan. Some were released only after PUCL intervened. It demanded that anyone suspected of illegal entry must get legal aid and a fair trial.
PUCL asked Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to explain if the state supports Assam’s illegal “pushback” strategy.
The group raised two key questions: Why weren’t intelligence failures after the Pahalgam attack investigated? And why hasn’t the BSF been held responsible if there was infiltration?
PUCL repeated its demand for the government to follow the Constitution and international law. It called for an immediate stop to such expulsions.
