Mamata Banerjee Declares All Languages Deserve Equal Respect, Protection From Attacks

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, February 21, 2026, extended greetings to people across the country on International Mother Language Day, emphasizing that all languages are equally worthy of respect and must be safeguarded from any form of "attack." In a statement shared via social media and reported widely, she paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in language movements, underscoring the historical significance of the day, which commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in what was then East Pakistan.

Banerjee highlighted her government's commitment to linguistic diversity, noting that it has granted official recognition to several languages and established dedicated language academies for various linguistic communities. She stressed that Bengali, with its rich literary heritage, is not promoted in isolation but as part of a broader ethos of inclusivity. "We have also ensured that every person, whatever the language they speak, has the opportunity to study in their mother tongue in the state," she said in a post on X, reinforcing policies aimed at multilingual education and cultural preservation.

The Chief Minister's remarks included a firm pledge: "On this sacred day, we reaffirm our pledge that if any language comes under attack, we will all stand united against it. All languages deserve equal respect." Her statement comes amid ongoing national discussions on language policies, regional identities, and occasional reports of linguistic discrimination against speakers of certain tongues in different parts of India. Banerjee's assertion aligns with her long-standing advocacy for protecting regional languages, particularly Bengali, while extending the principle to all others.

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International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21 and recognized by UNESCO, serves as a reminder of the importance of multilingualism and the dangers of linguistic suppression. Banerjee's message resonates in a diverse nation like India, where over 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of dialects coexist, often facing challenges from dominant languages or migration-related issues. Her call for unity against any "attack" on languages is seen as a timely reaffirmation of constitutional values enshrined in India's linguistic pluralism.

This statement reflects the Trinamool Congress-led government's focus on inclusive governance in West Bengal, a state known for its vibrant cultural and linguistic mosaic. As celebrations and tributes mark the day nationwide, Banerjee's words are expected to spark conversations on safeguarding minority languages and fostering mutual respect across communities in an increasingly interconnected India.

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