Bengaluru, Karnataka – January 29, 2026
In a significant announcement amid ongoing debates over illegal immigration in the state, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddyrevealed that the government plans to establish a special squad dedicated to identifying and expelling illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
The statement came on Thursday (January 29, 2026), as reported by multiple sources including PTI and The Indian Express. Reddy emphasized that the squad would focus on flushing out individuals residing in Karnataka without valid documentation, particularly those from Bangladesh.
"A special squad will be formed to flush out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from the state," Reddy told reporters, according to PTI. The move appears aimed at addressing concerns raised in recent months about unauthorized foreign nationals in urban areas like Bengaluru.
Reddy, however, appeared to downplay exaggerated claims circulating in some quarters. He reportedly dismissed suggestions that there could be as many as 25 lakh (2.5 million) illegal immigrants in Bengaluru alone, pointing out that the city's population is around one crore (10 million), making such figures implausible.
### Context Amid Recent Crackdowns and Political Tensions
The announcement follows a series of developments related to illegal immigration in Karnataka:
- In recent weeks, Bengaluru police have conducted drives resulting in the detention of suspected illegal immigrants, including groups from Bangladesh. For instance, earlier in January 2026, 34 suspected Bangladeshi nationals were detained in the Electronic City area for allegedly using forged documents.
-The issue gained prominence after a demolition drive in Kogilu Layout (North Bengaluru) in late December 2025/early January 2026, where encroached structures were cleared. Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, accused the Congress-led government of rehabilitating "illegal Bangladeshi migrants" and creating "mini Bangladeshs" in the state through alleged appeasement policies.
Ministers, including Reddy and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, have pushed back against these claims. In early January, Reddy questioned how such migrants could have entered deep into Bengaluru if they were indeed illegal, while Parameshwara has directed police to verify Aadhaar and other IDs, urging property owners to check visas before renting and to report suspicious cases.
- The state has previously deported illegal immigrants; in 2025, reports indicated over 200 Bangladeshi nationals were sent back, and special units have been active in tracking foreigners overstaying or entering illegally.
Reddy's statement comes against a backdrop of national and state-level scrutiny on illegal immigration, including directives from the Union Home Ministry in 2025 urging states to verify suspected Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants. Karnataka has seen periodic drives, with police emphasizing that action is taken wherever violations are confirmed.
### Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The proposal for a dedicated squad has drawn mixed responses. Opposition leaders have long demanded stronger action against illegal immigration, citing security, demographic, and resource concerns. Some have welcomed the move as a step toward accountability, while critics within civil society and migrant rights groups have expressed concerns over potential profiling, harassment of legitimate residents (especially Bengali-speaking or Muslim communities), and the risk of wrongful detentions based on suspicion.
The Karnataka government has maintained that any rehabilitation or support is only for verified residents, and strict verification (including documents like Aadhaar and BPL cards) is mandatory. Home Minister Parameshwara has repeatedly stressed that border management remains a central government responsibility, but the state is committed to acting on illegal presence within its jurisdiction.
As of now, details on the special squad's composition, timeline for formation, operational guidelines, or coordination with central agencies like the Border Security Force (BSF) or Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) have not been fully outlined. Officials indicated that the initiative would build on existing police efforts to compile data and conduct targeted verifications.
This development underscores the sensitive and politically charged nature of immigration enforcement in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, where migrant workers from various regions contribute significantly to the economy but face periodic crackdowns amid identity and documentation debates.
The state government has assured that actions will be lawful and evidence-based, with ongoing verification processes to ensure no genuine residents are unfairly targeted. Further updates on the squad's rollout are awaited from the Home Department or Chief Minister's Office.
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