Bangladesh Unrest Sparks Concerns Over Rohingya Infiltration into India

Tensions in Bangladesh are escalating, raising concerns that unrest could lead to an influx of Rohingya refugees into India. According to top intelligence sources, the ongoing crisis has diminished border coordination between the two nations, complicating efforts to manage the situation. They warn that hostility from Dhaka could increase the risk of Rohingya spillover into Indian territory.

The unrest in Bangladesh has intensified following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, 2025. Hadi was the convenor of Inqilab Moncho, a prominent student activist group and a parliamentary candidate for the upcoming national elections scheduled for February 2026. Protests erupted in response to his death, leading to violent clashes. In a particularly alarming incident, a 27-year-old Hindu youth named Dipu Chandra Das was killed by a mob over allegations of blasphemy, and his body was subsequently burned, igniting widespread outrage across the nation.

As the situation in Bangladesh deteriorates, intelligence sources indicate that the Rohingya community may exploit existing vulnerabilities in border security. Most infiltrators utilize low-visibility routes and riverine gaps primarily in West Bengal, as well as forest corridors in Assam and Tripura. Intelligence reports suggest that these groups no longer regard refugee camps as temporary shelters but as operational bases for illegal activities.

Security agencies are particularly concerned about the risk of secondary radicalization, where economically desperate Rohingya individuals become targets for Islamist recruiters. These recruiters are known to employ forged documents and exploit trafficking routes to facilitate the movement of recruits toward India, Malaysia, and the Gulf states. Recent arrests linked to Rohingya networks across Assam, West Bengal, Jammu, Delhi, and Hyderabad confirm that these camps are functioning as feeder zones for illegal immigration into India.

The presence of forged Aadhaar networks complicates detection efforts within India. Rohingya migrants often become embedded in urban clusters where they work in informal labor markets that lack robust verification processes. This environment allows radical preachers to operate discreetly, posing additional security challenges.

Even minor incidents involving the Rohingya can lead to significant diplomatic pressure and social tension. Any law enforcement actions against Rohingya individuals in India tend to attract international scrutiny, creating a complex dilemma between humanitarian considerations and national security. Intelligence sources emphasize that hostile actors deliberately exploit this situation to further their agendas.

The judicial response to the Rohingya crisis has also been pointed. On December 2, the Supreme Court of India addressed a habeas corpus petition concerning the disappearance of Rohingya refugees. Chief Justice Surya Kant, leading the bench, raised critical questions about the judiciary’s role in protecting individuals who enter the country illegally. He posed a stark query: “Do you want us to roll out a red carpet for them?” The Chief Justice highlighted the sensitive nature of India’s northern borders, stating, “If an intruder enters illegally, do we have the obligation to keep them here?” His remarks underscore the national security implications intertwined with the Rohingya issue.

As the unrest in Bangladesh continues, the potential for increased Rohingya infiltration into India remains a pressing concern. The combination of political instability, rising violence, and deteriorating border coordination poses challenges that both nations must navigate carefully to maintain security and manage humanitarian obligations.