The recent attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has ignited a political firestorm; with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticizing West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the involvement of a suspected illegal immigrant. The controversy deepened when Mumbai police arrested Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national, who allegedly attacked Khan during a robbery attempt at his Bandra residence on January 16. The suspect had reportedly entered India illegally and assumed a Hindu identity, raising concerns over illegal immigration.
Amit Malviya, the head of BJP's IT cell, pointed fingers at opposition parties, particularly Mamata Banerjee's TMC, accusing them of exploiting illegal immigrants for political gain. "Political parties like Congress and TMC, which exploit illegal immigrants as vote banks, must apologize for their role in this situation," Malviya wrote on social media. He further suggested that the attack would not have happened if such practices were not allowed to persist.
The incident has intensified the ongoing debate about illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, which has been a contentious issue in West Bengal. BJP leaders, including Sukanta Majumdar, President of the Bengal BJP unit, criticized the state government for allegedly aiding the settlement of illegal migrants, especially the Rohingyas, in areas like Kolkata and Salt Lake. Majumdar went as far as to claim that TMC's leniency towards illegal immigrants was putting the security of local residents at risk.
The TMC, however, hit back at the BJP's accusations. Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim called Majumdar’s statements "baseless" and "irresponsible," dismissing the claims as an attempt to spread communal tension.
Meanwhile, the police have charged Shehzad with robbery, house-breaking, and several other offenses under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Passport Act. His arrest has further fueled the already volatile political climate between the BJP and TMC.
