“It is a global phenomenon. People go from smaller countries migrate to bigger neighbouring countries in search of livelihood,” Mukherjee said at a seminar on “Terrorism and Justice” organised by the All India Milli Council at St Xaviers’ College auditorium.

“If there is any attempt to migrate illegally, the government rounds up the offenders and sends them back to their countries,” he said.

He also slammed the Rajasthan government and said that Bengali-speaking Muslims were being harassed there. CPM MP Hannan Mollah has already written to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia requesting her to see that no Bengali-speaking Muslims face harassment in her state.

Mukherjee also said the Centre was planning to set up a commission to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.