RSS warns BJP against alienating Bengali migrant workers, says move could help Mamata
Kolkata, Aug 29 (Reuters) – The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), ideological mentor of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has cautioned party leaders against targeting Bengali-speaking workers in BJP-ruled states, warning that such moves could strengthen West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. According to people familiar with the matter, senior RSS leaders have privately conveyed to BJP’s central leadership that the harassment of Bengali migrant workers amounts to a “self-goal,” handing Banerjee political ammunition. They said the issue has already given the Trinamool Congress leader an opportunity to project herself as the protector of Bengali identity. The concern is expected to feature in the RSS’s coordination meeting scheduled from Sept. 5-7 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will be present, the people said. The organization, which has been expanding its grassroots presence in West Bengal in recent years, fears the incidents could hamper its outreach. RSS leaders have also raised the matter with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a senior federal minister, underscoring that no Indian citizen should be treated as an outsider for speaking Bengali. The Sangh believes action against illegal migrants should not spill over into hostility against lawful citizens, which risks alienating West Bengal’s electorate. Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has staged street protests over alleged assaults on Bengali workers in BJP-ruled states, accusing the ruling party of discrimination.
Is Speaking Bengali a Crime? Fear Grips Migrant Workers After Arrests in Haryana
A wave of fear has swept through Bengali-speaking migrant communities in Gurugram, Haryana, following a string of arrests where police allegedly targeted individuals suspected of being “illegal Bangladeshis” — despite possessing Indian identity documents. Tensions escalated after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently remarked that the number of people listing Bengali as their mother tongue in the national census would help identify the scale of “foreigners” in Assam. The comment drew sharp criticism from political leaders and civil society alike, who accused the BJP leader of equating Bengali identity with illegal immigration. Now, similar sentiments appear to be playing out hundreds of miles away in Haryana. Police in Gurugram have arrested at least 10 Bengali-speaking residents on suspicion of being undocumented Bangladeshis. Residents of makeshift settlements in the city’s outskirts say they are being harassed, picked up at night, and detained — often violently — without due verification. “They kicked the door and dragged him away” Anjarul, a daily-wage painter originally from Malda district in West Bengal, was one such victim. Living in Gurugram’s Tigra village for the past five years, he says he was forcibly taken from his home a few nights ago despite showing a valid Aadhaar identity card. “They hit me, dragged me, and called me a Bangladeshi,” he said. “I showed my Aadhaar card, but they didn’t care. Now, even though I’ve been released, the police have kept my Aadhaar card.” His wife alleged that she was also assaulted when she pleaded with officers not to take her husband away. “I asked them to at least verify our documents. Instead, one officer slapped me so hard that I can’t hear properly from my right ear,” she said tearfully. Entire neighborhoods abandoned The police crackdown has left entire Bengali-populated neighborhoods in disarray. Many residents have fled, fearing detention. “I’m packing my bags and leaving for Malda,” said one resident. “Better to go back than live in this constant fear.” Most of the homes in the area now sit locked and abandoned, with community leaders warning of an atmosphere of distrust and discrimination. Those who remain live in fear of midnight raids. Community hall turned into detention center. Local sources told reporters that a government community center in Gurugram’s Sector 40 has been functioning as a makeshift detention center over the past week. More than 100 Bengali-speaking individuals were reportedly held there under suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. While officials now say the facility is largely empty, some detainees may have already been moved to other undisclosed locations. The Haryana police have yet to issue a formal statement addressing allegations of harassment and illegal detentions. Activists, however, are demanding an investigation and legal recourse. Bengali identity under siege? The developments in Gurugram follow a broader pattern of heightened scrutiny of Bengali speakers across several Indian states. Critics argue that linguistic identity is being dangerously conflated with nationality, fueling xenophobic policies and vigilantism. “What we are witnessing is the criminalization of language and ethnicity,” said a Delhi-based rights activist. “No Indian should be treated as an outsider in their own country simply because they speak Bengali.” As political discourse around migration and citizenship intensifies, many fear that vulnerable communities — especially migrant workers — will continue to bear the brunt of profiling and persecution.
Bengal Launches WhatsApp Helpline for Migrant Workers Facing Abuse in Other States
Amid growing concerns over the safety and well-being of migrant workers from West Bengal employed in other Indian states, the state police have launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline to assist those facing hardship, abuse, or exploitation. The initiative follows a spate of disturbing reports indicating that many workers from Bengal, who travel to other states for employment, have encountered severe difficulties — ranging from wage denial and poor working conditions to physical harm and intimidation. However, victims and their families often remain unaware of where or how to seek help. In response, West Bengal authorities have issued a public appeal urging anyone facing such issues to immediately contact their local police station or the district control room. Additionally, a dedicated WhatsApp helpline has been launched for distressed families back home. The helpline number — +91 91477 27666 — will function exclusively on WhatsApp. Families can send messages to this number detailing the issue, including the victim’s name, address, and relevant circumstances. The police have assured that each complaint will be verified and followed up with the concerned state authorities to initiate necessary action. “We are receiving information from various sources about the hardships faced by our workers in other states,” said a senior state police official. “But most families don’t know how to report these problems. This helpline is meant to bridge that gap.” The move comes as Indian states grapple with growing internal migration, driven by uneven economic development. West Bengal has long been a source of labor for industries across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and the southern states. However, oversight and support for these workers often remain minimal once they leave their home state. Activists have welcomed the initiative as a critical step toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of India’s internal migrants — a group frequently overlooked in mainstream policy discourse. “This is not just a helpline — it’s a lifeline,” said one Kolkata-based labor rights advocate. “If implemented seriously, it can prevent tragedies and reconnect vulnerable workers with vital state support.” The West Bengal Police have encouraged the public to share the helpline number widely, especially in rural areas where outbound migration is highest.
West Bengal Migrant Worker Allegedly Deported to Bangladesh by Rajasthan Authorities
A migrant labourer from West Bengal has reportedly been forcibly pushed across the India-Bangladesh border after being wrongly identified as an illegal Bangladeshi national by authorities in Rajasthan, a BJP-ruled state in western India. The worker, identified as Amir Sheikh, is a resident of Kaliachak in West Bengal’s Malda district. According to his family, Sheikh had travelled to Rajasthan nearly three months ago in search of work. He reportedly spoke only Bengali, which is being cited as one of the reasons for his alleged detention by local police. Despite possessing valid identity documents including an Aadhaar card proving his Indian citizenship, Sheikh was reportedly arrested by Rajasthan police on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. His family alleges that the authorities ignored his documentation and instead transferred him to a detention facility. In a startling twist, Sheikh was later allegedly taken to the India-Bangladesh border in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas — over 1,800 kilometres away from Rajasthan — and forcibly handed over to Bangladesh authorities through what is known as a “pushback”. The process of “pushback” is typically used for illegal immigrants crossing into India, not for citizens within the country. Most disturbingly, his family claims he was thrown across the barbed wire fencing using a payload crane — an act they have condemned as “inhumane” and “criminal”. Reports say Sheikh has since surfaced in Bangladesh’s Satkhira district, from where he released a video on social media, asserting his Indian identity and narrating his ordeal. The incident has triggered widespread outrage, especially in West Bengal, where political and civil society groups are demanding an inquiry into the apparent violation of a citizen’s rights. “This is not just a question of mistaken identity — it is a shocking example of systemic abuse and xenophobia,” said a human rights activist in Kolkata. “How can someone be deported from his own country despite having valid identity proof?” As of now, there has been no official response from the Rajasthan government or the Border Security Force (BSF). The family of Amir Sheikh has appealed to the West Bengal government and the Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene and ensure his safe return. The case is likely to spark political and legal debates over migrant rights, citizenship verification, and the treatment of linguistic minorities within India.
West Bengal may call special Assembly session in August over ‘attacks’ on Bengali language, migrants
The West Bengal government is considering convening a special session of the state assembly in August to counter what it calls “systematic attacks” on the Bengali language and the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states, a senior official from the assembly secretariat said. Sources from the state’s parliamentary affairs department said the special session, tentatively scheduled between 8 and 21 August, will table a resolution condemning the targeting of Bengali speakers—many of whom are labelled “Bangladeshi” for simply speaking the language. The session may also introduce four legislative bills currently under review with the state law department. While discussions have already taken place between the Trinamul Congress (TMC) legislative party and the parliamentary affairs department, no final decision has yet been taken, a TMC MLA said on condition of anonymity. The proposed session comes in the wake of strong statements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee during the party’s annual 21 July rally. Both leaders vowed to confront the BJP on its alleged attempts to undermine the Bengali language and identity—both in Parliament and through state initiatives. “We will hit back,” Mamata Banerjee said, accusing the BJP of inciting cultural marginalisation in states where many Bengali-speaking workers reside. According to party insiders, the proposed session will also serve as a platform for the state to take an aggressive legislative stance against such incidents, complementing TMC’s protests planned at the national level. The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday in New Delhi, where TMC MPs are expected to raise the issue both inside the Houses and through a sit-in near the Gandhi statue on Parliament premises. This is not the first time the West Bengal Assembly has been convened for a special session. In August last year, it met to pass the “Aparajita Bill” in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a female medical intern at RG Kar Hospital. Meanwhile, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP has dismissed Mamata Banerjee’s claims. “Who gave her the right to speak on behalf of the Bengali language?” he said on Tuesday, ahead of his departure to Delhi. Adhikari cited examples of prominent Bengali figures holding key positions under the Modi government, including late economist Bibek Debroy, current economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal, and Haryana Governor Asim Ghosh, to reject allegations of bias. Tensions between the TMC and BJP are expected to intensify as Mamata Banerjee has called for weekly protests in support of the Bengali language and against the alleged marginalisation of Bengali-speaking communities in BJP-ruled regions, starting 27 July with the annual “Nanur Day” observance.
Adhir Chowdhury Writes to PM Modi Over Harassment of Bengali Migrant Workers
Member of the Congress Working Committee, Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has written a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing deep concern over the harassment, humiliation, and physical torture being faced by Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Odisha and Maharashtra. In his letter, Shri Chowdhury highlighted the alarming treatment of poor, bonafide Indian citizens who are being wrongfully targeted due to their linguistic identity, often mistaken for Bangladeshi nationals. Urging immediate intervention, he called upon the Prime Minister to direct the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Home Affairs to ensure protection of the fundamental rights and dignity of these inter-state migrant labourers. Shri Chowdhury is trying to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice for the affected workers, and has already written to the Hon’ble President of India and the Union Home Minister on this grave issue earlier. He stressed that the State must act decisively to prevent such large-scale abuse of innocent workers from West Bengal and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
