Union Home Minister Amit Shah's declaration that illegal infiltrators who leave West Bengal voluntarily will not face legal proceedings drew strong backing from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on 29 May, who used the occasion to sharpen their attack on illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, calling it a drain on India's economy and a threat to national security.

Shah's Stand and What It Means

Speaking at a public function in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Shah said the BJP government in West Bengal had moved swiftly on border-related issues — including the establishment of detention centres and the transfer of land for border fencing. He noted that the BJP now governs 80 per cent of the country's geographical area and described recent political developments in West Bengal as a significant milestone for the party.

Shah's offer of no legal proceedings for those who exit voluntarily carries an implicit warning: those who do not leave may face heavy fines or imprisonment, according to BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo.

BJP Leaders Amplify the Message

BJP MP Radhamohan Singh, addressing reporters, said illegal infiltration had negatively impacted India's economy. 'They should definitely leave the country,' he said.

Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said the BJP government under Shah's leadership had taken the Bangladesh border infiltration issue 'very seriously.' He alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had provided infiltrators a 'safe haven,' allowing them to access resources meant for Indian citizens. 'Such people are being legally driven out, and border areas are being secured,' he said.

The Karnataka Angle

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya broadened the debate, alleging that Karnataka had also become a destination for illegal Bangladeshi migrants. He claimed that under the previous Congress regime in the state, infiltrators were allegedly issued Aadhaar cards and had their names added to voter lists — allegations that remain unverified and which the Congress has not responded to in this context.

West Bengal: BJP's Claimed Delivery on Promises

Shah Deo pointed to a specific deliverable: within seven days of the BJP coming to power in West Bengal, the government reportedly transferred land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border fencing — a promise made during the state assembly election campaign. 'Unlike other political parties, what the BJP preaches, it definitely practices,' he said.

This comes amid a broader national conversation on border security and demographic change, with the Centre increasingly framing infiltration as both an economic and electoral integrity issue. How the West Bengal government implements Shah's voluntary-exit framework — and whether it withstands legal scrutiny — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.