‘Push-in’ operations from India into Bangladesh are taking place almost every day through various border points, despite repeated diplomatic protests from Dhaka. Bangladeshi authorities say the practice has continued unabated, even after several official letters were sent to New Delhi.
Among those being pushed in are also reported to be local leaders and activists of the Awami League, who had fled to India following the political upheaval of August 5 last year.
How the push-in started
The current wave of push-ins began in the wake of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 Indian citizens dead. Following the attack, Indian authorities launched a crackdown in Gujarat, detaining several individuals labelled as “illegal Bangladeshis.” Shortly thereafter, the Indian side began sending people across the border. On May 7, India pushed in 66 people through the Matiranga and Panchhari borders of Khagrachhari district, and another 36 individuals were sent through the Kurigram border. Since that initial incident, push-ins have reportedly continued on a daily basis through multiple districts.
Over 1000 push-ins in 25 days
In the 25 days between May 7 and May 28, more than a thousand people have been pushed into Bangladesh from India through various entry points. According to reports, 331 individuals were pushed into Moulvibazar, 111 into Khagrachhari, 60 into Kurigram, 19 into Habiganj, 16 into Sunamganj, two into Dinajpur, 19 into Thakurgaon, 17 into Chapainawabganj, 32 into Panchagarh, 20 into Lalmonirhat, 19 into Chuadanga, 30 into Meherpur, 42 into Jhenaidah, 13 into Cumilla, 23 into Satkhira, and 39 through the Feni border.
In addition, 78 people were reportedly pushed into the Sundarbans area under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district. This trend of daily push-ins continues across multiple border locations.
No legal recognition of push-ins
Although there is no formal or legal recognition of such push-ins from India or push-backs from Bangladesh, such informal measures have historically been part of the two countries’ border dynamics. However, officials in Dhaka say the scale and suddenness of the current wave are unprecedented. Bangladesh has repeatedly said that if there are Bangladeshi citizens residing illegally in India, New Delhi should provide an official list through the proper channels. Dhaka has assured that any verified Bangladeshi nationals will be taken back following due process. But India, it alleges, has continued to force people across the border without following any such verification mechanism.
In one striking example, a man named Khairul Islam—claiming to be an Indian citizen and a schoolteacher from Assam—said on social media that he was among those pushed into Bangladesh by Indian border forces. He alleged that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) had forcibly deported him, despite his Indian citizenship.
Letters sent to India in four phases
Bangladesh has so far sent four diplomatic letters to India protesting the ongoing push-ins taking place across various border points. The first letter was dispatched on May 8, just a day after the initial push-in occurred on May 7. Subsequent letters followed on May 13, 15, and 20. In each instance, Dhaka expressed serious concern, urging India not to push in any individual without first verifying their citizenship status. The letters reiterated that if any Bangladeshi nationals were residing in India, they should be repatriated through proper diplomatic and legal channels. In response, Indian authorities maintained that they were dealing with what they termed “illegal immigrants” in accordance with local laws and practices.
India gives a list of illegal citizens
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had already submitted a list of alleged Bangladeshi citizens to Dhaka. On May 21, New Delhi formally requested that Bangladesh accept the return of 2,461 individuals it identified as illegal residents. So far, 2,360 of them are said to be awaiting verification by the Bangladeshi side.
Jaiswal added that India would continue to act against foreign nationals living illegally within its territory, as per its domestic laws, and urged Bangladesh to expedite the nationality verification process.
Push-in panic among Awami League leaders fleeing to India
Besides, Indian authorities have begun pushing in leaders and activists of the Awami League, many of whom had fled to India following the events of August 5. Several such individuals have already been deported across the border. The move has sparked fear among other Awami League activists currently in India, with some reportedly attempting to relocate to third countries to avoid being forcibly returned.
Experts urge to increase diplomatic activity
Security analysts in Dhaka have called for intensified diplomatic engagement to address the growing crisis. Retired Major General Emdadul Islam told Banglanews that a visible and proactive diplomatic push was urgently needed. “Push-ins are happening every day along the border, but diplomatic activity appears limited,” he said. “Both the Delhi and Kolkata missions must be more active in raising this issue. Bangladesh must demand clear explanations from India. Without strong diplomatic engagement, such push-ins and retaliatory push-backs could escalate along the border.”
Foreign Affairs Adviser's statement on push-ins
Amid growing concerns over the continued push-ins from India, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said that Dhaka is in active communication with New Delhi. Responding to questions from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 21, he said, “We are in continuous communication with Delhi. We are trying to ensure that nothing out of the norm happens.”
Asked how India has responded, the adviser said, “We have conveyed our position. We’ve explained that it’s not right to carry out such push-ins. There is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, and we’ve made it clear that the process should follow that framework. India has provided some lists, and we are verifying those through the Home Ministry.”
Acting Foreign Secretary's remarks
Echoing the same, Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique told Banglanews that the Bangladesh government is taking the issue seriously. “Our designated High Commissioner is working in India. We’re working out how to manage the situation. All relevant departments are engaged round the clock,” he said.
The secretary said that while people are being pushed in from India almost daily, it remains uncertain whether they match the names on the lists provided by Indian authorities. “We must verify whether those being pushed in are actually on that list,” he said. “Nothing definitive can be said until we complete that verification.”
He further explained the complexities involved, noting, “If someone is sent from India under the name - Kashem, we can’t immediately identify him as our citizen just by that name. Many names can match. We need proper verification to confirm nationality.”
Both officials emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are coordinating efforts to handle the situation at operational levels.
SMS/
