Mamata Banerjee Decries Bengali Identity Harassment in Fiery Protest

Kolkata, India – In a powerful display of political assertion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alongside key Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, spearheaded a massive protest march in Kolkata on Wednesday. The demonstration, braving heavy rain, was a vocal condemnation of the alleged systemic Bengali identity harassment faced by Bengali-speaking individuals in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This significant mobilization signals a heightened political temperature in West Bengal, particularly with upcoming elections.

Allegations of Bengali Identity Harassment Surface

The core of the TMC’s protest revolves around serious allegations of targeted actions against Bengali-speaking people. The party claims a troubling pattern of:

• Linguistic Profiling: Bengali speakers are reportedly subjected to profiling based on their language.
• Arbitrary Detentions: Instances of unlawful detentions of Bengali-speaking individuals have been cited.
• Labeling as ‘Illegal Immigrants’: A critical accusation is the attempt to brand Bengali speakers as “illegal immigrants,” irrespective of their legal status.

Specific incidents highlighted by the TMC include the detention of migrant workers in Odisha, eviction drives in Delhi, and a notice served to a farmer in Cooch Behar by a foreigners’ tribunal in Assam. These incidents, the party asserts, are not isolated but indicative of a broader strategy of Bengali identity harassment.

TMC’s Strategic Shift and Political Timing

The timing of this protest is particularly noteworthy. It comes just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to West Bengal, amplifying the political message. Traditionally, the TMC refrains from large-scale public mobilizations before its annual Shahid Dibas (Martyr’s Day) rally on July 21. However, the recent incidents of alleged Bengali identity harassment have compelled the party to shift its strategy, indicating a proactive stance in addressing these concerns. With less than a year remaining until the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, this protest also offers a glimpse into the TMC’s campaign thrust, which appears to blend identity politics with grassroots mobilization to rekindle an emotional connection with voters.

Counter-Allegations and Political Divide over Bengali Identity

The protest, while rallying support for the TMC, also drew sharp criticism from the opposition. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the entire exercise of “Bengali asmita” (Bengali pride) is being exploited to shield the presence of “Bengali-speaking Rohingyas and illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.” Adhikari further questioned Chief Minister Banerjee’s alleged silence on the plight of thousands of Bengali-speaking teachers in the state who have lost their jobs due to institutional corruption. He also raised concerns regarding administrative appointments, suggesting that senior Bengali officers were overlooked for key positions in favor of junior, out-of-state bureaucrats.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, participating in the rally, dismissed Adhikari’s allegations, stating they were made to appease his superiors in Delhi and would not gain traction in Bengal. The exchange highlights the deep political polarization surrounding the issue of Bengali identity harassment.

The protest underscored a significant political fault line, with the TMC positioning itself as the protector of Bengali culture and language, while the opposition questions the underlying motives and implications of such mobilizations. The events of Wednesday set a combative tone for the political discourse in West Bengal as the state heads towards crucial elections.