India Not a ‘Dharamshala’; National Security Comes First, Says HM Amit Shah

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha today passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, after an extensive three-hour-long discussion on the proposed law aimed at modernizing and consolidating India’s immigration framework. The bill was introduced by Junior Home Minister Nityanand Rai on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
During the debate, Amit Shah reiterated that India is not a “Dharamshala” (rest house) and emphasized that those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter the country. “If someone comes to contribute to the nation’s development, they are always welcome. But those who threaten national security will not be allowed to enter,” he asserted. Towards the end of the debate, Shah underlined that whether it is Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if anyone attempts to create unrest in India, they will face strong action. “India welcomes those who help in development, but those who come to create trouble, whether Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, will face strict action. This bill will also help identify those who come here with bad intentions,” Shah said before the Lok Sabha cleared the bill. He emphasized that the bill, once enacted, will tackle illegal immigration and help track the movement of foreigners who overstay. “This is very important. Immigration is not an isolated subject but is directly or indirectly linked to various national issues. The bill will ensure close monitoring of everyone who visits India — why they visit, how long they stay — and it is absolutely necessary to know these details for national security,” he added. Highlighting the positive impact of the Indian diaspora, Shah called for a legal framework to welcome those contributing to the nation’s development. “Indians who went abroad left a huge positive impact on the countries they settled in. Similarly, we must ensure that those who come to India for good work feel welcomed,” he noted.
“The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, seeks to repeal and harmonize these laws while introducing new provisions to meet contemporary needs. Home Minister Says “With this bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. It will facilitate national development and monitor those visiting for business while ensuring security against potential threats”
From a security perspective, Shah emphasized that the new law is essential to combat threats such as drug cartels, infiltrators, arms smugglers, and those attempting to undermine India’s economy. “This law will help fight against drug cartels, infiltrators, arms smugglers, and those who want to destroy India’s economy from within,” he stated. The proposed law also empowers the central government to exert control over places “frequented by any foreigner” and allows authorities to order premises to be closed, regulate their use under specific conditions, or refuse admission to certain categories of foreigners. Currently, immigration and foreigner-related matters are administered through four laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, seeks to repeal and harmonize these laws while introducing new provisions to meet contemporary needs. “With this bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. It will facilitate national development and monitor those visiting for business while ensuring security against potential threats,” Shah concluded.