What is #DeportKanglus?
Recently, the hashtag #DeportKanglus has gone viral on Indian social media platforms, especially Twitter (X). Primarily pushed by pro-government handles, the trend demands strict action against alleged "Kanglus"—a slang term increasingly used by certain internet users to refer to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in India.
But beneath this catchy, aggressive slogan lies a deeper, more uncomfortable reality.
Who Are Referred to as "Kanglus"?
The term "Kanglu" is an informal and somewhat derogatory slang term coined and used widely across sections of right-wing online communities. It refers to Bangladeshi Muslims allegedly living illegally in India.
Originally emerging from meme culture, the term has evolved into a coded slur. It’s now used to label not just undocumented migrants, but often any Bengali-speaking Muslims—even Indian citizens—with suspicion, painting them as illegal immigrants, criminals, or political vote banks.
The Vote Bank Game: The Real Issue No One Talks About
While the BJP’s online supporters are aggressively demanding the deportation of “Kanglus,” they rarely question their own government’s role in allowing illegal immigration to flourish.
There are credible allegations and media reports suggesting that illegal immigrants have been issued Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards under political patronage. In many border states, these populations are quietly absorbed and settled into the system.
Why? Because they become vote banks—reliable blocs of voters used during elections. Ironically, the same party whose supporters shout “Deport them!” is accused of issuing them documentation for electoral gain.
Eleven Years of Silence: What Has Modi Done?
Narendra Modi has been in power since 2014. His government has had full majority in the Lok Sabha for most of this period. There have been loud speeches and campaigns about national security and border infiltration. Yet, not a single major crackdown or deportation drive has been successfully executed against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Instead, schemes like PMAY (housing for all), ration benefits, and even local political patronage have often reached these individuals, either due to loopholes or with full awareness of their status.
If nothing concrete was done in the last 11 years, why would anything change now?
Manufactured Outrage: How Hashtags Replace Policy
The trend #DeportKanglus is a classic example of manufactured outrage. Instead of demanding accountability from those in power—who have the tools and agencies to act—supporters deflect attention by targeting imaginary enemies or shifting the blame.
The cycle is simple:
1. Government fails to act.
2. Public support wavers.
3. Online distraction campaigns begin.
4. Real culprits go unquestioned.
The Dangerous Consequences of Labeling
Equating every Bengali-speaking Muslim with an illegal immigrant is not only inaccurate but dangerous. It breeds xenophobia, profiling, and communal tension, especially in states like Assam, West Bengal, and parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Conclusion: Who Really Benefits?
Let’s ask the hard question:
Who benefits from this illegal migration the most?
- Certainly not the common Indian, whose vote share gets diluted.
- Not the daily-wage worker, who sees competition increase.
- Not even genuine minorities, who face added suspicion.
The real beneficiaries are politicians, middlemen, and corrupt local networks who exploit these undocumented citizens for power and profit.
Before trending hashtags, maybe we should trend accountability.
#TheNewsDrill | Truth. Not Noise.