In the wealthy suburb of Gurugram, a stark divide separates affluent residents from impoverished migrant laborers. The "verification" raids, which predominantly affected Bengali-speaking Muslims from West Bengal, have seen hundreds detained, sparking fear and causing many to flee.
Ather Ali Sheikh, a daily-wage worker detained for six days, recounted how authorities dismissed his identification documents as fraudulent, despite being a long-term resident. His family’s sudden upheaval exemplifies the terror felt among many in similarly precarious positions. The police claim the operation is not discriminatory, asserting only 10 out of the 250 detained were illegal immigrants.
The impact of the raids has reverberated throughout the community, leading to trash piling up as domestic help and workers vanish overnight. Residents in upscale neighborhoods are feeling the immediate effects of lost labor, raising scrutiny on the law enforcement narrative.
Historically, crackdowns on illegal immigrants along the porous India-Bangladesh border have been frequent, yet the recent intensified police actions align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. Large-scale deportations have also been witnessed in Assam and Delhi, evoking anxiety among those who lack documentation.
Grassroots advocates have condemned the recent actions as unjust, alleging that individuals targeted appeared to be those speaking Bengali or possessing Muslim names, igniting claims of systemic discrimination. As many Bengali-Muslims now sleep with their documents close, the overarching sentiment is fear for their safety and future.
As multiple areas suffer power outages and increasing strife, one slum resident described the unbearable torment of living without basic amenities. With no clarity on how to combat this politically charged atmosphere, many are left to grapple with a deep sense of vulnerability in an increasingly hostile environment.
Ather Ali Sheikh, a daily-wage worker detained for six days, recounted how authorities dismissed his identification documents as fraudulent, despite being a long-term resident. His family’s sudden upheaval exemplifies the terror felt among many in similarly precarious positions. The police claim the operation is not discriminatory, asserting only 10 out of the 250 detained were illegal immigrants.
The impact of the raids has reverberated throughout the community, leading to trash piling up as domestic help and workers vanish overnight. Residents in upscale neighborhoods are feeling the immediate effects of lost labor, raising scrutiny on the law enforcement narrative.
Historically, crackdowns on illegal immigrants along the porous India-Bangladesh border have been frequent, yet the recent intensified police actions align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. Large-scale deportations have also been witnessed in Assam and Delhi, evoking anxiety among those who lack documentation.
Grassroots advocates have condemned the recent actions as unjust, alleging that individuals targeted appeared to be those speaking Bengali or possessing Muslim names, igniting claims of systemic discrimination. As many Bengali-Muslims now sleep with their documents close, the overarching sentiment is fear for their safety and future.
As multiple areas suffer power outages and increasing strife, one slum resident described the unbearable torment of living without basic amenities. With no clarity on how to combat this politically charged atmosphere, many are left to grapple with a deep sense of vulnerability in an increasingly hostile environment.
