Supreme Court Questions Centre on Illegal Migrants

The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to explain a standard operating procedure (SOP) that was being followed under its May 2 notification. In this May 2 notification, the government authorised a nationwide drive to identify and expel illegal migrants.

On May 2, the Ministry of Home Affairs authorised verification and detention of suspected illegal migrants across the country.

The top court stressed the fact that the Centre ought to clear allegations that members of the Bengali-speaking minority community were being singled out.

A bench consisting of Justice Suryakant, Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M. Pancholi highlighted the sensitivity of the issue and observed that while national security and preservation of resources were paramount, the government must also clarify its take on the allegations that language alone was being used as a presumption of foreign origin.

At the same time, the bench also pointed towards India’s shared cultural legacy with its neighbours.

“ There are two sensitive issues involved in the matter. One is national security, integrity, and preservation of resources for us, which need not be said, are of paramount importance. At the same time, we inherited a legacy of common culture… like in Punjab and Bengal that share borders with other countries.”

Alongside, the topmost court of the country also sought a response from the Centre and several states on creating an interstate department to prevent harassment of genuine citizens.

The Supreme Court touched upon a sensitive topic that has reportedly been used to target a section of the population unable to prove their citizenship.

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