Border Security Force Officer’s Peaceful Conversation with Refugees from Bangladesh

New Delhi:

An BSF official is gaining admiration for his serenity while elucidating to hundreds of Bangladesh refugees congregated at India’s border why they cannot allow them in. The video, posted by former Union Minister and Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora, exhibits the official conversing with a group of refugees in a border region in West Bengal’s Coochbehar. 

Speaking in Bengali, the official is heard stating, “We are all aware of the challenges you are encountering. You have arrived here, but deliberation is necessary. The issue cannot be resolved in this manner. We are unable to permit your entry even if we desire.”

This video of a #BSF official calmly explaining to Bangladeshis why they cannot enter India illicitly is distressing, motivating & comforting all at once.

Distressing to observe the despair; motivating to witness the official’s composed demeanor; comforting to know the… pic.twitter.com/oOxqF7oTid

— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) August 11, 2024

Amidst the assembly protesting, the official persists, “Please heed me, uproar will not yield anything. The entire world is cognizant of your predicament. However, dialogue is imperative. Once the dialogue transpires, we will explore how we can safeguard you. You can perceive, senior officials are present. Yet if you assert that we must immediately grant you entry, is that feasible?”

“I beseech you on behalf of my nation. Your predicaments would be resolved through dialogue. We urge you to retreat, a resolution cannot be found in an hour or two,” the official is heard articulating in a video shared by The Indian Express.

Vocals from the crowd implore with the BSF personnel to grant them entry. “They will incinerate our residences, we will confront atrocities,” the crowd exclaims.

The BSF official asserts that the officials acknowledge they are in distress. “My superiors have engaged in dialogues with your force. They will heed to your predicaments. They have instructed you to retreat,” he states.

Commending the official for his composure, Mr Deora expressed in a post on X, “This video of a BSF official calmly explaining to Bangladeshis why they cannot enter India illicitly is distressing, motivating & comforting all at once.”

“Distressing to see the despair; motivating to witness the official’s composed demeanor; comforting to know the government is dedicated to securing India’s borders,” articulated the Rajya Sabha MP, who transitioned from the Congress to the Eknath Shinde-led Sena earlier this year.

Bangladeshi nationals fleeing violence and arson following Sheikh Hasina’s removal as Prime Minister have assembled at India’s borders in numerous regions. The BSF is maintaining close surveillance on the borders. In Bangladesh, members of the Hindu community are organizing demonstrations to denounce the assaults on residences and enterprises of Hindus. 

With an interim government led by Nobel peace prize laureate assuming control in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed that India anticipates a prompt resurgence to normalcy in Bangladesh and urged the government to guarantee the safety of Hindus.

My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for a prompt resurgence to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains dedicated to collaborating with Bangladesh to fulfill the…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024

“My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for a prompt resurgence to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains dedicated to collaborating with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” the Prime Minister conveyed in a post on X.

Mr Yunus has censured attacks on the minority communities and encouraged the youth to shield Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm. “Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; can’t you save some families?…You must say — no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together,” he has expressed.