'Don't Feed Them Biryani': BJP's Samik Bhattacharya Seeks Tougher Crackdown On Bangladeshi Infiltrators

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 14:32 IST

Samik Bhattacharya told CNN-News18 that illegal immigrants should be immediately deported instead of being housed in detention centres, saying, “Don’t feed free biryani to them.”

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has strongly backed the state government’s “detect, delete and deport" policy against illegal immigrants, telling CNN-News18 that detained infiltrators should be immediately sent back instead of being housed in holding centres.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Bhattacharya said, “I would request Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, why detention centres? Why feed free meals to the illegals even for a day? Catch them and send them back immediately."

In one of his sharpest remarks, Bhattacharya added, “My message is, ‘Don’t feed free biryani to them’."

The BJP leader also asserted that illegal immigrants should not be allowed to stay in India under any circumstances.

“If they (illegals) have to come to India, they have to bring lands along with them," he told CNN-News18.

“We are very clear. We will detect, delete and deport. India is not a dharamshala."

Bhattacharya further alleged that illegal immigrants were using West Bengal as a route to target neighbouring states as well.

“They were using Bengal to target tribals of Jharkhand as well," he claimed in the interview.

WHAT SUVENDU ADHIKARI HAD ANNOUNCED

Bhattacharya’s comments come days after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a tougher border-security and anti-infiltration framework in the state.

Addressing a press conference at Nabanna alongside senior BSF officials, Adhikari, on May 20, unveiled what he described as a “detect, delete and deport" mechanism targeting infiltrators.

The state government also initiated the transfer of land to the BSF for long-pending fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border.

Adhikari had said that infiltrators detained by the police would be handed over directly to the BSF.

He asserted that communities not covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would face detention and deportation under the new mechanism.

“Those who are not covered under the CAA will be treated as infiltrators. State police will detain and hand them over to the BSF. The BSF will speak to the BGB and take necessary steps to deport them," Adhikari had said.

The Chief Minister had also alleged that the previous government delayed handing over land needed for border fencing due to “appeasement politics" and vote-bank considerations, PTI reported.

AAdhikari further claimed that infiltration was linked to wider law-and-order concerns, alleging involvement of infiltrators in crimes related to “love jihad", forced religious conversion and women’s safety.

HOLDING CENTRES SET UP IN MALDA

What followed was the operationalisation of the policy on the ground.

PTI reported that Malda became the first district in West Bengal to set up a holding centre for illegal foreign nationals under the “detect, delete and deport" framework.

Further, nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals, including three women and six minors, were housed at the facility set up at Chandan Park in English Bazar.

The centre was functioning under layered security with CCTV surveillance, police deployment and arrangements for food and upkeep.

A police officer quoted by PTI said the facility was intended to temporarily house foreign nationals detained on charges of illegal entry or lack of valid documents while verification and legal procedures were carried out.

A PTI report noted that the development came shortly after the state Home and Hill Affairs Department directed district administrations to establish holding centres for “apprehended foreigners" and “released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation".

The report further stated that under the proposed mechanism, the BSF would coordinate with Border Guards Bangladesh for deportation formalities.

The issue of infiltration has remained a central political theme for the BJP in West Bengal for years, especially in border districts and refugee-dominated constituencies.

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