- Monday, March 31, 2025
The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha by a voice vote after various amendments moved by Opposition members were negated
By: India Weekly
HOME MINISTER Amit Shah has said those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action while declaring that the country is not a “dharamshala”.
He said this on Thursday (27) while replying to the debate on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.
The bill was later passed by a voice vote after various amendments moved by Opposition members were negated.
The minister also ruled out India signing the 1951 UN convention on refugees that requires governments to take refugees and recognise their rights.
One of the key provisions in the bill is that anyone found to be using a forged passport or visa for entering India or staying in or exiting from the country will be punishable with a jail term of up to seven years and a fine which could extend to ₹1 million.
The bill also seeks to closely monitor everyone who visits India, Shah said.
The minister pointed out that this bill is necessary to strengthen the country’s security and economy, promote manufacturing and trade, get global recognition for the education system and help universities earn international repute.
It will ensure that the country gets up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India, he added.
Attacks Bengal government
He also hit out at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and previous Congress government at the Centre for allowing Rohingiyas and Bangladeshis to enter India and provide them with Aadhaar cards and voter cards.
He said that while security forces are blamed, the real culprits are the TMC government in West Bengal and the previous Congress government in Assam.
“India’s border with Bangladesh is 2,216 km long, out of which fencing work has been completed on 1,653 km. Of the remaining 563 km, fencing is not possible on 112 km due to geographical conditions.
“But fencing in 412 km is incomplete because Bengal government is not providing land,” the minister told the House.
Shah alleged that when attempts are made for fencing, cadres of the ruling party in West Bengal come and create a ruckus.
“Border fencing is incomplete because of Bengal government’s leniency towards infiltrators.”
Shah then asked “When Bangladeshis or Rohingyas infiltrate, who gives them Aadhaar cards?”
“Most of the Bangladeshis who have been caught have Aadhaar cards and voter cards of 24 Parganas(in West Bengal),” he said hitting out at the TMC.
The home minister asserted that the problem of infiltration will end when BJP wins the next Assembly elections, which is due next year.
“If the Bengal government does not issue Aadhaar cards, then even a bird will not be able to fly.”
Shah rejected demands of opposition members to refer the bill to a parliamentary penel, saying members had sufficient time to give suggestions between the time when it was introduced and Thursday when it came up for consideration.
He said the government will have the right to debar some persons from India based on inputs by various agencies. Those who feel they have not been heard can move court, he added.
Shah said getting up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India is important.
Opposition concern
Opposition MPs claimed that some provisions of the bill seeking to streamline various services related to immigration and foreigners give “arbitrary powers” to immigration authorities and demanded it should be sent to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed scrutiny.
Initiating a debate on the Bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari said its provisions give “arbitrary powers” to the government for exempting certain categories of foreigners from the law.
The proposed legislation also provides for mandatory reporting of information about foreigners by hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes to enable tracking of overstaying foreigners.
It also says that any foreigner who enters any area in India without a valid passport or other travel document, including a visa, shall be punishable with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years.
The legislation empowers the central government to exert control over places that are “frequented by any foreigner” and require the owner to close the premises, permit its use under specified conditions, or refuse admission to all or a “specified class” of foreigners.
Matters relating to foreigners and immigration are currently administered through four legislations, and all these laws will be repealed.
While the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 consists of several existing provisions in the four Acts proposed to be repealed, it also has certain new provisions to meet the present-day requirements. (PTI)
