Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter India. Replying to a debate on The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, he said that if Rohingya or Bangladeshis come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them. Mr Shah said that the country is not a ‘Dharamshala’ (public resthouse) where anyone can stay as they wish.
The Home Minister said that, for the security of the country, the Government must know who is entering the country, for how long and for what reasons. He said these concepts are not new; such rights have been mentioned in various laws, and the government has now integrated them. Mr Shah said, with the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, the government will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. He said, this will help in developing the nation and monitor those coming for business. The Home Minister said it will also allow the government to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to security.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, Manish Tewari of Congress opposed the bill alleging that the bill is against the constitution. He said that immigration officers have been given power, which can lead to harassment of people. Mr Tewari stressed the need to bring in safeguard provisions in the bill. He demanded that the bill be sent to the Joint Parliamentary committee for more scrutiny.
The Bill was later passed by the Lok Sabha. The Bill is intended to modernise the immigration laws and it has provisions to confer upon the Central Government certain powers with regard to passports, travel documents, visa and registration. The legislation has been brought to avoid multiplicity and overlapping of laws.
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