3 Things 'Push backed' into Bangladesh, clearing Deonar landfill, and Op Spider's Web
Jun 3, 2025
Sukrita Baruah reports on Assam for The Indian Express, shedding light on the harrowing pushbacks of Bengali-origin Muslims into Bangladesh, revealing the emotional toll of detention and uncertainty surrounding their citizenship. Pratip Acharya, also from The Indian Express, discusses Mumbai's ambitious plan to tackle the Deonar landfill, using bioremediation to address severe environmental issues. Lastly, the conversation uncovers Ukraine’s daring Operation Spider's Web, showcasing innovative drone warfare targeting Russian military bases.
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Teacher's Pushback Ordeal Revealed
- Kherul Islam, a detained primary school teacher, described being taken from Assam to Bangladesh and stranded in no man's land.
- His video was the first concrete evidence that detainees were being pushed across the border informally.
Understanding Assam's Declared Foreigners
- Declared foreigners in Assam are people who failed to prove citizenship before 1971 in foreigners' tribunals.
- This process places the burden of proof on individuals and is unique to Assam due to its citizenship issues.
Pushbacks vs Deportations Explained
- Pushbacks differ from deportations as informal actions without diplomatic procedures or nationality verification.
- Assam justifies pushbacks citing a Supreme Court order to deport declared foreigners by any means possible.