Mamata Banerjee Hails Supreme Court’s Migrant Worker Directives
Mamata cheers SC’s hope for migrant workers
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday lauded the Supreme Court’s directives on a public interest litigation (PIL) addressing the plight of Bengali-speaking migrant workers, calling it a “landmark” ruling that offers a “ray of hope” for countless vulnerable laborers across India. The PIL, filed by the West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board, alleges illegal detentions of Bengali migrants in states like Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, and others, often on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals.
In a post on X, Banerjee welcomed the court’s recognition of Bengal’s historic role as a border state and cultural sanctuary, noting, “The Supreme Court has acknowledged how, generation after generation, Bengal has served as a refuge and a source of hope. It has directed the state’s High Court to prioritize migrant petitions, instilling hope in countless Bengali-speaking workers.” She reaffirmed her commitment, stating, “I stand firmly by my migrant worker brothers and sisters, confident they will receive respect, dignity, and constitutional justice.”
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M. Pancholi, questioned the Centre on its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for deporting suspected illegal immigrants, particularly to Bangladesh, and raised concerns about linguistic profiling.
The court noted the shared cultural and linguistic heritage of Bengali and Punjabi speakers with neighboring countries, questioning whether speaking a particular language, like Bengali, justifies presuming someone is a foreigner. It asked the Centre and nine states—Odisha, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and West Bengal—to respond by September 9, while declining an interim stay on detentions due to concerns about unchecked illegal immigration.
Also Read: J&K Tragic Landslides Prompt Solidarity from Bengal
Banerjee’s remarks follow her two-month-long campaign against what she calls “linguistic terror” by BJP-ruled states, accusing them of targeting Bengali migrants as “illegal Bangladeshis.” Her government’s ‘Shramshree’ scheme, announced on August 18, offers returning migrants a one-time ₹5,000 payment and a monthly ₹5,000 stipend for up to a year, aiming to support 22.4 lakh workers. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also planned a resolution in the state assembly on September 1 to condemn these detentions.
The issue has sparked political slugfests, with the BJP alleging that Banerjee’s policies shield illegal immigrants, citing fake Aadhaar cards, while TMC counters that genuine Indian citizens are being harassed. The Calcutta High Court is also addressing related habeas corpus petitions, including cases of alleged deportations to Bangladesh, such as that of pregnant worker Sunali Khatun.
