Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sparked controversy with his recent remarks alleging that the Muslim population in West Bengal is increasing due to infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh. Shah made the statement during a public address in North Bengal on Friday, while reviewing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) organisational preparations ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Addressing party workers, Shah said, “The Muslim population in certain districts of Bengal has increased abnormally, not because of natural growth but due to continuous infiltration from across the border. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has turned a blind eye to this for vote-bank politics.” He further alleged that the state government’s failure to curb illegal immigration has endangered national security and demographic balance in border areas such as Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur.
The Home Minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), stating that it would ensure citizenship rights for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries while curbing illegal infiltration. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “appeasement politics” and urged BJP workers to “expose the TMC’s double standards” in dealing with the issue.
In response, the Trinamool Congress strongly condemned Shah’s remarks, calling them an “attempt to spread communal hatred” ahead of elections. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “The Home Minister is deliberately making divisive statements to polarise Bengal. Instead of focusing on development, the BJP is spreading misinformation about our population.”
Political observers noted that Shah’s remarks were aimed at consolidating the BJP’s support base in North Bengal, where the party has a significant presence. However, they also warned that such statements could heighten communal tensions in a state with a history of sensitive religious dynamics.
West Bengal shares a porous 2,200-kilometre border with Bangladesh, and the issue of infiltration has long been a contentious political topic. While the Centre has repeatedly claimed that illegal immigration poses a security threat, state authorities maintain that these claims are exaggerated and politically motivated.
As the state gears up for the 2026 Assembly polls, Shah’s comments have reignited the debate over infiltration, citizenship, and identity politics-issues that continue to shape Bengal’s volatile political landscape.
