
Fri Dec 05 01:52:34 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
News Article:
Lucknow Mayor Orders Ouster of Alleged Illegal Immigrants, Sparking Controversy
Lucknow, India – December 5, 2025 – Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal is facing criticism after visiting slums in Phool Bagh Bahadurpur and demanding the expulsion of residents suspected of being undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants. Kharkwal claims that many residents failed to provide adequate identification and were unable to answer basic questions about their locality, giving them 15 days to leave.
The move has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition parties, who accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of employing intimidation tactics. Congress leader Shahnawaz Alam questioned the mayor’s authority to conduct such checks, arguing it falls under the purview of district administration and law enforcement. He also raised concerns about the potential targeting of Bengali-speaking people from other Indian states.
The BJP has defended the mayor’s actions, with senior leader Pushkar Mishra stating that the government is committed to enforcing the law and protecting the state’s resources and opportunities for its citizens. Mishra emphasized that the process will be conducted with transparency and respect for constitutional norms.
The controversy follows an order issued on November 22 by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, instructing district magistrates to identify and take action against illegal immigrants. The order also included instructions to establish detention centers to house those identified as infiltrators. The situation remains tense as residents face the threat of displacement and the controversy fuels debates about immigration and citizenship in Uttar Pradesh.