New Delhi (TIP)- The Lok Sabha passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, on Thursday, March 27, with Home Minister Amit Shah saying that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action. Shah said the government would not allow anyone who wished to disrupt peace enter the country.
“This country is not a dharamshala where anyone can come and reside. If someone comes by following the law and with an intention of developing both India and their home country, they are most welcome. But if it is a security threat, it is the right of Parliament to make a law to stop them,” he said in Parliament while replying to a debate on the Bill.
The Bill, which seeks to regulate immigration, entry and stay of foreigners in India, was passed by a voice vote. It repeals the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
During the discussion, Shah explained the features of the Bill and said it held significance for strengthening national security, ensuring global standards of Indian universities and building foundations for research and development, which would ultimately fulfil the dream of a developed India by 2047.
“The earlier colonial laws were made by the British during a mad race for self-gratification between World War I and II, and for the protection of the British government. However, the new ones have been made keeping in mind India’s welfare,” Shah said.
The Home Minister compared the number of people entering and leaving the country with the time when the Congress was in power. “In 2014, 2.49 crore people came to India. In 2024, the figure stood at four crore. In total, the number of people arriving and leaving India in a year has drastically surged in the past decade by 59 per cent,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said anyone who tried to enter India apart from notified ports and airports, be it land border or water border, would be called an “illegal immigrant”.
“If any foreign national has to come to India, it should be decided from which route he enters the country. We will notify it….One of the opposition members was saying why should we stop them? There could be some sensitive places like a military installation near our border, we can’t throw them open to the world,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said India had always acted with humanity and given refuge to those who had fled their home countries due to persecution. “Parsis fled Persia and came to India. The world’s smallest ‘micro-minority’ community lives in India with respect. Even Jews fled Israel and stayed in India,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said persecuted people from six communities from neighbouring countries were granted citizenship under the CAA.
“They infiltrated into India, but I will not call it infiltration. The ones who came to India to save their religion or save their families, I will not call them infiltrators but refugees. This is why we brought the CAA,” Shah said.
He said anyone who comes to India to contribute to the country’s economy, for business, education, R&D or to strengthen our legal system was welcome. “But I want to say with the same firmness that be it Rohingya or Bangladeshi, if they come here to disrupt peace, we will strictly deal with them,” Shah said. Source: TNS