West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday issued a sharp call to defend the Bengali language and identity, warning against what she described as “linguistic terror” in several BJP-ruled states. Speaking from the Martyrs’ Day rally stage in Kolkata, Banerjee hinted at launching a renewed language movement to safeguard Bengali speakers facing discrimination outside the state. “There’s a concerted attack on the Bengali language. People are being branded as Bangladeshis just for speaking Bengali in other parts of India,” Banerjee said. “Who has the right to decide what language someone speaks or what food someone eats? Everyone’s rights will be protected in Bengal.” Banerjee, who is also the chief of the Trinamool Congress, accused the BJP of targeting linguistic and cultural diversity and urged her party members to resist these trends through organised public action. Outlining a plan of resistance, she instructed her party’s MPs to lead peaceful demonstrations alongside civil society representatives at the Bhasha Shahid Udyan (Language Martyrs’ Memorial). She also proposed weekend rallies and meetings involving speakers of all languages to show solidarity.

“When language becomes a tool of politics, we must not retreat even an inch,” Banerjee said, declaring her intent to preserve linguistic rights. “In Bengal, every language will be respected, but we will not allow anyone to trample on our mother tongue.”

The Chief Minister’s speech came amid growing concern over Bengali-speaking individuals allegedly facing harassment in parts of northeastern India. Echoing the tone of an agitation reminiscent of the historic language movements in the subcontinent, Banerjee concluded with a promise: “We will continue to fight for the honour of Bengali and the rights of all languages.”