India is not a Dharamshala where every outsider can expect a red-carpet welcome, nor can every Tom, Dick, and Harry be allowed unfettered access to its land and resources. It must be clearly understood that India belongs to its citizens, and those who enter illegally—whether intruders or Rohingya migrants—cannot claim rights over Indian soil. The resources of this nation are meant primarily for its people, and illegal entrants should be identified and deported, for they have no lawful entitlement to the country’s benefits. They are not only a burden on India’s scarce resources but also a potential threat to national security.

The seriousness of the issue has been underscored even by the highest court of the land. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recently questioned whether individuals who enter India illegally can demand procedural safeguards before deportation. While hearing a habeas corpus petition regarding the disappearance of several Rohingya individuals earlier held by Delhi Police, the Supreme Court posed a pertinent query: how can anyone who has crossed a fenced border unlawfully suddenly claim that all Indian laws, rights, and protections must apply to them? The Chief Justice observed that India has extremely sensitive borders in the northern region and that those without legal refugee status cannot presume entitlement to privileges reserved for citizens or lawful residents. The Court’s remarks reflect the gravity with which the judiciary views illegal intrusion.
Illegal immigration poses multifaceted risks. Many intruders are reportedly subjected to radicalisation and indoctrination, which compounds the security challenges the nation already faces. At a time when India’s security environment remains delicate, the presence of individuals with questionable antecedents only heightens the risks to national unity and sovereignty. It is ironic and deeply troubling that while some intruders benefit from India’s development and welfare systems, they simultaneously engage in activities inimical to the nation’s interests. This dichotomy must be addressed with clarity and firmness. Unfortunately, instead of treating illegal immigration as a national concern, sections of the political spectrum indulge in opportunistic appeasement. Certain parties, under the guise of secularism, have politicised the issue for vote-bank purposes, obstructing efforts to identify and deport illegal settlers. Their reluctance stems largely from the electoral benefits they reap from the presence of such groups. This politicisation prevents the administration from taking decisive action and results in the perpetuation of a complex problem that affects states across the country.
Illegal immigrants, especially Rohingyas in certain regions, have managed to procure ration cards, electricity and water connections, and even voter IDs—privileges that rightly belong to Indian citizens. By availing themselves of such services, they consume a significant portion of the amenities and welfare benefits that should be reserved for the native population. India is a developing economy with limited resources, and allowing illegal migrants to deplete them is both unjust and unsustainable. These individuals thrive on public resources yet often work against India’s strategic and social interests, thereby behaving like adversaries while enjoying the nation’s hospitality. Foreign intrusion, in its modern sense, refers to the unlawful entry and settlement of foreign nationals within India. This phenomenon has severe socio-economic, political, and cultural repercussions.
States like Assam and West Bengal have witnessed large-scale demographic changes due to decades of unchecked migration, leading to social unrest, ethnic tensions, and demands for protective measures from indigenous communities. Such demographic shifts have historically sparked major socio-political movements, including mass agitations driven by fears of cultural dilution and loss of identity. Beyond cultural and demographic impacts, illegal immigration has tangible economic consequences. The surge of undocumented labourers willing to work for low wages disrupts local labour markets, depresses wage levels, and fuels competition with domestic workers. This distortion harms the local workforce and deepens socio-economic tensions. Moreover, because illegal migrants operate largely outside the formal economy, the nation loses crucial tax revenue. The movement of unrecorded remittances to their home countries further undermines India’s financial systems.
The strain on public infrastructure is equally severe. Health care services, educational facilities, housing, and sanitation systems—already burdened—come under additional pressure when lakhs of illegal migrants occupy urban and rural spaces. As these individuals settle without regulation, overcrowding becomes rampant, leading to the growth of slums marked by unsanitary conditions and increased susceptibility to communicable diseases. The encroachment of agricultural and forest lands by illegal settlers has also resulted in environmental degradation, agrarian distress, and conflicts with local communities.
Politically, the presence of illegal immigrants has contributed to instability. When electoral outcomes appear to be influenced by non-citizens who have managed to secure voter IDs, public trust in democratic institutions erodes. Citizens begin to question whether the political system represents their interests or those of individuals who entered the country unlawfully. This erosion of trust leads to disillusionment and cynicism, weakening the democratic fabric. Furthermore, political actors who exploit the issue for vote-bank gains contribute to polarisation and hinder the formulation of rational, long-term policies. The social landscape is similarly affected. Illegal migrants often bring with them cultural practices, languages, and religious identities that differ markedly from those of local communities. While cultural exchange is natural in any diverse society, sudden and large-scale demographic shifts create anxieties among native populations who fear marginalisation or the loss of their traditional way of life. These fears can escalate into communal or ethnic tensions, which, in turn, are frequently manipulated by political interests for gains at the ballot box.
Given the extensive socio-economic and political consequences, the issue of illegal intrusion cannot be ignored any longer. It is imperative that illegal immigrants are identified, documented, and deported in accordance with national laws and international norms. The nation must adopt a firm yet humane approach—protecting its borders and citizens while respecting humanitarian principles—but without compromising its security or sovereignty. In conclusion, intrusion by illegal foreign nationals is a grave challenge that affects multiple states across India. Its ramifications extend across economic, social, cultural, demographic, and security domains. The nation must confront this issue with unity, clarity, and determination. Political expediency should not overshadow national interests. With firm policy implementation, cooperation from all political parties, and public awareness, India can safeguard its resources, preserve social harmony, and protect its sovereignty from the pressures imposed by unchecked illegal immigration.

Email:----------onkoul2019@gmail.com