Jharkhand HC Warns About Illegal Immigration from Bangladesh

• 09 Aug 2024

Why in News?

Recently, The Jharkhand High Court directed the state government to take immediate action against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants entering the state through the Santhal Parganas.

Key Points

• The court noted that illegal immigration is likely to increase due to the current unstable situation in Bangladesh.
• The bench ordered the director of the intelligence bureau, director general of the Border Security Force (BSF), Chief Election Commissioner of India, and director general of the Unique Identification Authority of India to be made parties in the case.
  • The court, while issuing notices, instructed them to submit a response in the matter.
  • Additionally, the court recommended that the government conduct surprise inspections of Aadhaar cards and voter identity cards.

Current Situation in Bangladesh

• Protests and Unrest: Bangladesh has been engulfed in protests over job quota issues fueled by authoritarian policies and suppression of opposition, leading to significant unrest, the largest seen since Sheikh Hasina's tenure began in 2008.
• Economic Challenges: Sheikh Hasina’s departure raises concerns about the country's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, which has already been strained by rising inflation and currency depreciation.
• Political Landscape: The Bangladesh Army is set to form an interim government, emphasising the fluidity of the situation.
  • The potential return of radical Islamist forces could threaten Bangladesh’s secular governance.
• Disruption in Export Flow: Bangladesh's textile sector, which significantly contributes to its export revenue, is facing major disruptions. The ongoing unrest has led to a breakdown in supply chains, affecting the movement of consignments and production schedules.
  • Bangladesh is a major player in the global clothing industry, accounting for 7.9% of global trade in clothing. The country's USD 45 billion garment sector, which employs over four million workers, represents more than 85% of its merchandise exports.
    • The country has a significant market share in the European Union, the UK and the US, with a 10% share in the US market.
  • International buyers are reassessing their supply sources due to the uncertainty in Bangladesh. This could result in a shift of orders to alternative markets, including India.
  • India stands to gain substantially if it captures a portion of the displaced orders from Bangladesh.
  • Industry experts estimate that India could see an additional USD 300-400 million in monthly business if 10-11% of Bangladesh’s textile exports are redirected to Indian hubs such as Tiruppur.