Deport Bangladeshis but follow the law, says Patil

HARD TALK: Home Minister sends a tough message to Rajasthan CM in the aftermath of the Jaipur blasts.

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Rajdeep Sardesai

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Keywords: Intelligence Agencies, Terror

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke to CNN-IBN on the Jaipur blasts, asking Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to deport illegal Bangaldeshi immigrants, but within the purview of the law. He also said that the state intelligence had much to answer regarding the intelligence failure in the Jaipur serial blasts.

And in a remark that could prove controversial, Patil said the demand for hanging Mohammed Afzal needed to be seen in the context of the clemency plea for Sarabjit Singh.

Excerpts from the interview:

Rajdeep Sardesai: Let’s assume that groups like Bangladesh-based HuJI are responsible. There is a feeling among state governments that the Centre will not let them act against Bangladeshis, particularly illegal Bangladeshi migrants, because you are worried about the human rights impact. How fair is that? Are you ready to give state governments the full right to deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants, as the Rajasthan government wants?

Shivraj Patil: The Rajasthan government should have studied the law itself. They should have studied the notifications, which have been issued to them. The law was passed in 1946 and it has been amended many times, even in 2005. In 1958, the powers, which are available under the law, have been delegated to the states.

Rajdeep Sardesai: This is the Foreigners’ Act?

Shivraj Patil: The Foreigners’ Act…

Rajdeep Sardesai: You are saying that under the Foreigners’ Act the Rajasthan government has the full right on its own to deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants.

Shivraj Patil: That’s right. That is exactly what I am saying.

Rajdeep Sardesai: You will support them if they were to do so?