No relief for illegal immigrants: Karnataka Govt warns of deportation after Kogilu demolition

Home Minister G Parameshwar rejects BJP claims on Kogilu Layout residents, says police verification will decide deportation, arrests or relief.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwar on Wednesday made it clear that the state government will not provide alternative housing, rehabilitation, or any form of benefits to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants if they are identified during police verification. He said such individuals will be secured by the police and deported to their country.

Parameshwar was responding to allegations made by the BJP that people displaced during the Kogilu Layout demolition drive in north Bengaluru were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. He cautioned the opposition against making what he called “passing comments” and said the BJP is free to protest if it has objections, but should not politicise the issue.

Explaining the government’s stand, the Home Minister said the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will prepare a detailed list of people who lost shelters during the Kogilu Layout demolition. This list will then be handed over to the police for verification. The police will examine the background of each individual, including their place of origin, how long they have been living in Bengaluru, and the duration of their stay at the site.

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“If any illegal Bangladeshi nationals are found during verification, the police will take them into custody and deport them. If they are involved in criminal activities, they will be arrested,” Parameshwar said, adding firmly that no alternative housing or facilities will be given to Bangladeshi nationals if identified.

He also criticised Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, saying the former home minister is fully aware of legal procedures but is making such statements for political reasons.

Parameshwara noted that identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants is an ongoing process across Karnataka. As part of this drive, police have instructed coffee estate owners to verify the background of their workers and submit details to jurisdictional police stations. Police teams also conduct regular checks at coffee estates to identify undocumented foreign nationals.

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Earlier in the day, R. Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of creating a “mini Bangladesh” in Karnataka due to what he termed appeasement politics. After visiting Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka, Ashoka alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was encouraging large-scale encroachment and illegal settlements.

Ashoka claimed that Google Maps showed no houses in the area a year ago, suggesting that the settlements had come up only in the last six months. He also questioned how electricity connections were provided so quickly. “After fooling Kannadigas for so long, the Siddaramaiah government is now building a mini Bangladesh in the state,” Ashoka alleged.

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