Why can’t we pass “borders”?

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Bangladeshis are infiltrating into India. In large numbers, reports say. They sneak through border, bribe border forces of both the countries to get into India. They come into India, and then try to settle in the country which does not accept them as their own. They some how manage to get power, telephone connections and then ration cards in their attempt to get some legal validity in their quest to turn “Indians”. And the Indian government strikes hard on them, as far as it can. It loads them on trucks, drop them at border and then push them out of Indian soil. The government of India has all the legal right to do this as they are nothing more than illegal trespassers, intruders. Moreover, the terrorism that makes it way through borders into India is a serious concern for the biggest democracy of the world.

But then there is one simple thing that I believe is most important factor in this “illegal” movement of Bangladeshis into India — the quest for a better life. Most of theBangladeshis come sneak into India in search of work that pays them well enough, allows them to live a better life.

Indians dreaming for getting a way into the US, or any other developed nation, is one example of this desire for a better life and opportunities. I think what the US is to Indians, India is to the Bangladeshis. If Indians can put all efforts to make entry into their dream destination [fake documents, marriages, etc], what’s wrong with Bangladeshis doing the same. Maybe because for Bangladeshis their way into India is far more easier, thanks to the huge border shared between the two countries, security forces who are willing to accept some bribe to allow them a fairly safe passage, a corrupt system in their destination country which allows them to disguise themselves as legal citizens, mange to get registered as voters and in some case even contest polls.

One of my colleague says why can’t they adopt the legal channel to come into the country–take a working visa and then work. They should but they don’t, they have other alternatives to fall back to get an entry into the country. When they can get into the country easily by bribing and harnessing the weakness of Indian system, what’s the point in going through all the hassles and unnerving bureaucratic process which poor Bangladeshis would in all probability be unable to overcome.

Bangladeshis are desperate enough to get into the country which they see as a better place to live and/or earn. They will make all effort to get in, if not through legal course, they would not hesitate to bypass the law. If you want them to come on working visas, why not simplify the process making the risk and expense of bribing for getting an entry into India a expensive and foolish proposition.

What I think the government should do: “Make the borders impervious. Security and vigilance more strict. Strike hard against terrorism and terrorists. Be considerate towards those who look India as the land of a better future. Try to let them realise their dreams but in a way that does not hamper India’s prospects.”

After all they too are humans. Moreover, they share a common past. If they want to be part of India, India should be magnanimous enough to come forward and accept them. Is it impractical?

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bangladeshi, border, illegal migrants, immigration, India, India-Bangladesh border, Indian, infiltration, international border, intrusion, terrorism