Mumbai, February 28 Citing the presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Maharashtra, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar on Saturday alleged that there is a pre-planned plot to destroy Mumbai, alter its demographics, and increase the population of a specific community.
Responding to Darekar's Calling Attention Motion in the legislative council, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said that the government deported over 2,000 Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in the state in 2025.
He stated that in 2021, Maharashtra deported 109 Bangladeshi immigrants, followed by 77 in 2022, 127 in 2023, and 202 in 2024. In 2025, 2037 Bangladeshi immigrants were deported. He also said that over 1,000 Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in India have been deported this year.
Darekar alleged that "corrupt doctors" of the BMC issued 237 fake birth certificates. He also claimed that there are thousands of Bangladeshi street vendors.
"There is a pre-planned plot to destroy Mumbai and alter its demographics and increase the population of a specific community," he said.
Darekar also alleged "land jihad" in many slums. BJP leader and nominated MLC Chitra Wagh also claimed that "love jihad" was also taking place.
Kadam stated that earlier, the police would arrest Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in Maharashtra, try them, and ensure their conviction. Following this process, they would be deported.
However, according to the Centre's notification, the state government can now directly deport them if it has proof that they are Bangladeshi nationals, he added.
Kadam said that there are cases where some have been found living illegally for the last 40 years.
In some cases, Bangladeshi immigrants who were deported have also returned, he said, adding that the modus operandi is to first enter West Bengal by crossing the border.
"We take action based on intelligence (inputs)," Kadam said.
After identifying Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in the state, they are handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF), the minister said.
He said that Rs 20 crore has been approved for building the first detention centre.