West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a powerful protest rally in Jhargram on Wednesday, decrying the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states. The nearly 3-km march through the tribal-dominated Junglemahal region was a bold stand for Bengali language and identity, with Banerjee and thousands of supporters proclaiming that "Bengal's pride will never be silenced." The rally, organized by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), saw participation from party leaders, cultural icons, and local citizens wielding placards with slogans like 'Banglar Apoman Sojjyo Hobe Na' (Insult to Bengal won't be tolerated) and 'Bangla Amar Ma' (Bengal, my mother).
The protest, part of Banerjee’s ongoing Bhasha Andolan (Language Movement), was sparked by reports of Bengali-speaking migrant workers facing discrimination, detentions, and forced evictions in states like Odisha, Delhi, Haryana, and Assam. Banerjee, joined by TMC heavyweights like Firhad Hakim and local leaders such as Jhargram TMC president Dulal Murmu, accused the BJP-led central government of targeting Bengalis through linguistic profiling and labeling them as "illegal immigrants" or "Bangladeshis." She cited incidents like the detention of 52 Bengali workers in Gurugram, Haryana, and the eviction of Bengali families in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, emphasizing that the 22 lakh Bengali migrant workers across India hold valid identity documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards.
Addressing the crowd, Banerjee vowed to protect Bengali pride, stating, “Our language is our existence. If you insult Bengali, you insult India. We will not let this linguistic terrorism continue.” She referenced historical Bengali contributions, from the freedom movement to the national anthem, to underscore the community’s integral role in India’s fabric. The rally’s timing, ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, signals TMC’s strategy to rally voters around Bengali asmita (identity) while challenging the BJP’s dominance in states like North Bengal.
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The Jhargram rally follows a similar protest in Bolpur-Santiniketan on July 28 and a Kolkata march on July 16, where Banerjee walked rain-soaked streets to protest migrant harassment. The choice of Jhargram, with its historical significance tied to the Santhal rebellion against British rule, amplifies the cultural and political weight of the movement. Political observers note that Banerjee’s protests, including a planned rally in BJP-stronghold Siliguri, aim to counter the BJP’s narrative and consolidate TMC’s base ahead of the polls.
Critics, including BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, have dismissed the protests as political posturing to shield “illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators,” alleging TMC is exploiting Bengali sentiment for electoral gains. Banerjee, however, remains undeterred, urging migrants to return to Bengal with promises of jobs and dignity. “If you’re not respected elsewhere, come back. We’ll share our last roti with you,” she declared, announcing new state schemes to support returning workers.
The rally, backed by tribal communities and non-Bengali groups like Kharagpur’s Telugu community, showcased broad solidarity. Security was tight, with over 1,000 police personnel ensuring smooth conduct. As Banerjee’s Bhasha Andolan gains momentum, it sets the stage for a charged political battle, with Bengali identity at its core.
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