'India Not A Dharamshala': Amit Shah Hits Out At TMC As Immigration Bill Gets Lok Sabha Nod

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 19:20 IST

The Home Minister further accused the Mamata Banerjee government of issuing Aadhaar cards to Bangladeshis and not giving land to the Centre for fencing work on the border

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was later passed by the Lok Sabha. (Photo: Sansad TV)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the country, asserting that India is not a “dharamshala (lodge)".

Replying in the Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, Shah hit out at the Trinamool Congress over infiltration from across the India-Bangladesh border and said the BJP will put an end it after the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls.

“Immigration is not a separate issue. Many issues of the country are linked to it… From the point of view of national security, it is very important to know who enters the nation’s border… We will also keep a close watch on those who will endanger the security of the country…Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala’. If someone comes to the nation to give its contribute to the development of the nation, they are always welcome," he said.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was later passed by the Lok Sabha.

The Home Minister further accused the Mamata Banerjee government of issuing Aadhaar cards to Bangladeshis and not giving land to the Centre for fencing work on the border.

“The fencing work of 450 km is pending because the West Bengal government is not giving land for it… Whenever the process of fencing is done, the ruling party workers indulge in hooliganism and religious sloganeering. The fencing work of 450 km of border has not been completed because the West Bengal government is showing mercy to the infiltrators," he said.

“Whether Bangladeshi infiltrators or Rohingyas, earlier they used to enter India through Assam when Congress was in power. Now they enter India through West Bengal where TMC is in power. Who issues them Aadhaar cards, citizenship?… All the Bangladeshis who have been caught have Aadhaar cards from 24 Parganas district. You (TMC) issue Aadhaar cards and they come to Delhi with voter cards… In 2026, the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal and we will put an end to this," he added.

Highlighting the benefit of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Shah said  during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, people from six oppressed communities from neighbouring countries are taking refuge in the country through CAA.

“India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation… Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world’s smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India… In the last ten years, India has become the fifth-largest economy. India has emerged as a bright spot among the world’s largest economies. India has become a hub of manufacturing and it is natural for people from all over the world to come to India… The number of people taking refuge in India for personal gain and making the country unsafe has also increased… Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them," he added.

News politics 'India Not A Dharamshala': Amit Shah Hits Out At TMC As Immigration Bill Gets Lok Sabha Nod