India, March 1 -- Amid an intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, the Maharashtra government on Saturday announced statewide combing operations to trace and deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals, informing the Legislative Council that more than 2,000 such individuals have been deported in 2025 alone, nearly four times the total expulsions recorded over the previous four years combined.

Replying to a Calling Attention motion, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said over 1,000 of those deported this year were traced to Mumbai. He maintained that Maharashtra has deported the highest number of illegal Bangladeshi nationals in the country.

The debate triggered sharp exchanges in the House. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar alleged there was a...