Jabbar Ali Mondal, a 42-year-old man who says he has lived in Bengaluru for nearly 24 years, has raised concerns about an incident involving the city police. Mondal said police officers came to his home in Thubrahalli early on August 6 and questioned him about his nationality.
According to Mondal, the officers repeatedly asked whether he was an Indian citizen. He said they insisted that he was from Bangladesh, even though he told them that he was Indian and had been living in Bengaluru for more than two decades.
The incident reportedly took place just two days before the launch of Operation Mukta, a police initiative aimed at checking and verifying the status of migrants living in the city.
Resident Says He Felt Targeted
Mondal said he was surprised and upset by the questions because Bengaluru has been his home for many years. He said he has built his life in the city and considers himself a long-term resident.
He expressed frustration over being treated as an outsider despite spending most of his adult life in Bengaluru. The incident has made him concerned about how authorities identify people whose nationality or background is questioned.
Mondal’s account has also drawn attention to the difficulties that some long-term residents may face during migrant verification drives.
Concerns Over Verification Process
Police verification drives are generally intended to identify people whose immigration or residency status may need to be checked. However, such operations can also create concerns among residents who fear being wrongly identified or questioned.
The incident involving Mondal has raised questions about how people can prove their residency and nationality when authorities have doubts about their identity.
For people who have lived in a city for many years, proving their connection to the place may involve official records and other documents. However, being questioned about one’s nationality can be stressful, particularly when a person believes they have been wrongly identified.
Operation Mukta Draws Attention
The incident came shortly before the launch of Operation Mukta in Bengaluru. The initiative is aimed at verifying the status of migrants in the city and identifying people who may be living without the required documents or legal status.
The authorities are expected to examine information and documents as part of the process. The exercise has also led to discussions about how such checks should be carried out while protecting the rights and dignity of genuine residents.
Questions About Identity and Belonging
Mondal’s experience has highlighted a wider issue about identity, citizenship and belonging. Bengaluru is home to people from different parts of India and from different backgrounds. Many residents have lived in the city for decades and consider it their permanent home.
The case raises questions about how authorities can carry out verification operations accurately while avoiding mistakes that could affect genuine residents.
For Mondal, the experience has been upsetting because he says he has spent nearly 24 years building his life in Bengaluru. His case has added to the ongoing discussion about how migrant verification should be conducted and how long-term residents can protect themselves when their nationality is questioned.
As authorities continue their verification efforts, many residents will be watching closely to see how the process is carried out and whether adequate safeguards are in place to prevent genuine residents from being wrongly targeted.