Bengali Migrants: In a deeply concerning development, human rights activists and civil society organizations have flagged a rising number of alleged detentions, harassment, and torture of Bengali-speaking migrants in several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Odisha.
At a public event hosted in Kolkata by the Sangbidhan Bachao Desh Bachao Manch, former IAS officer and human rights activist Harsh Mander, along with NCHRO secretary Nadeem Khan, raised serious allegations against the governments of these states. They claimed that Bengali-speaking workers—many of whom are internal migrants from districts like Malda, Murshidabad, and Nadia—are being targeted due to a growing culture of linguistic and regional profiling.
“Bengalis are being detained, tortured, and in many cases falsely accused of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite holding valid Indian identification,” said Mander. “This is unconstitutional and undermines the right to life, liberty, and freedom of movement.”
Bengali Migrants: A Pattern of Discrimination
Testimonies presented at the event, and corroborated by regional media reports, highlight a disturbing pattern. Migrants are reportedly being picked up from construction sites, garment factories, and transport hubs. They are then allegedly confined in temporary detention centers, often without proper legal counsel or trial.
Many workers complain of being held for days without contact with their families. Some said they were released only after external pressure from NGOs or after being forced to sign papers they couldn’t read.
Nadeem Khan referred to specific incidents in Odisha where Bengali-speaking workers from Murshidabad were reportedly detained under suspicion of being “illegal migrants,” despite having Aadhaar and voter ID cards.
“We have documented cases where the only reason for detention appears to be their accent and language. This is pure linguistic profiling,” he asserted.
Political Responses & Chief Minister’s Outcry
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the reported incidents, accusing the BJP governments of conducting a “civil war on Bengali identity.” She likened these acts to “linguistic terrorism” and demanded an immediate cessation.
Speaking at a recent rally, she said:
“Just because someone speaks Bengali doesn’t mean they’re illegal. These are our people, Indian citizens, working hard in other states. Harassing them is against the very spirit of India.”
Banerjee also cited a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, which flagged incidents of Indian citizens being falsely identified as Bangladeshis and illegally deported—particularly Muslims and Bengali speakers. The report warned of rampant due process violations, including lack of legal representation and coerced confessions.
External source:
Human Rights Watch report on ethnic profiling in India
Families in West Bengal Left in the Dark
The issue is not just political or legal—it’s deeply personal. Families across rural Bengal report being unable to contact their sons or husbands who have migrated for work. In Malda, Nadia, and Cooch Behar, families say their kin were suddenly detained and accused of being “foreign infiltrators.”
In a case from North Dinajpur, a man with a valid voter ID was reportedly arrested in Odisha while working in a cement factory. His family received no formal notification.
“We found out through a friend who saw his name on a list of detainees,” his brother told local journalists. “They refused to release him, saying his name sounded Bangladeshi.”
TMC’s Countermove: Protest and Relief
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sent parliamentary delegations to locations such as Gurgaon and Ahmedabad to meet detained or recently released workers. MPs have recorded their testimonies and pledged legal aid.
TMC leaders have announced a “Bhasha Andolan” (Language Movement) to protest against what they call state-sponsored linguistic bias. The campaign includes rallies, cultural programs, and public outreach to raise awareness of the injustices faced by Bengali-speaking workers outside the state.
Delhi Police Pushback and Controversy
In an escalating development, Delhi Police recently claimed that a viral video shared by Mamata Banerjee showing the detention of Bengali workers was “manipulated.” Police officials said the video was an old recording taken out of context, suggesting political misrepresentation.
This claim has fueled further conflict between the BJP and TMC, with both parties accusing each other of spreading misinformation. While the BJP alleges the West Bengal government is politicizing the issue, the TMC insists that the central and state BJP leadership is guilty of ignoring the plight of poor migrant workers.
Social and Psychological Impact on Migrants
The wave of detentions and fearmongering has caused many Bengali migrants to flee back home. Migrants who once worked in construction, logistics, and retail in cities like Jaipur, Gurgaon, and Bhubaneswar are now returning to West Bengal without jobs or savings.
“I came back with only my bag,” said a worker from Murshidabad who had worked in Haryana for three years. “I won’t go back. I was treated like a criminal just because I spoke Bengali.”
NGOs report rising cases of anxiety and PTSD among returning migrants, especially those who underwent illegal detention.
Constitutional Questions and Human Rights Concerns
Legal experts argue that these acts may amount to violations of Article 14 (Equality Before Law), Article 19 (Right to Movement), and Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty) of the Indian Constitution.
“Targeting citizens based on their language or place of origin is a deeply unconstitutional act,” said senior advocate Shubham Bhattacharya. “There needs to be a judicial inquiry into these mass detentions and profiling.”
Civil liberties organizations have also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Supreme Court Legal Services Committee to take suo motu cognizance of the situation.
Broader Historical Context: Ethnic Anxiety and Identity Politics
Linguistic and ethnic profiling is not new in India. The Nellie massacre, the Assam NRC, and anti-Bengali violence in the Barak Valley are reminders of India’s complicated relationship with internal migration, regional identity, and minority rights.
The latest incidents suggest that migrant Bengali workers are caught at the intersection of anti-immigrant sentiment and political hostility, with devastating consequences.
External source:
Amnesty International: India – NRC process in Assam
Next Steps: What Is Being Demanded
Rights groups and activists have issued a list of urgent demands:
- A high-level judicial inquiry into all detentions of Bengali workers since 2022
- Formation of inter-state legal aid teams to support distressed workers
- Compensation and rehabilitation for those wrongfully detained
- Assurance of non-discriminatory treatment of workers across India
- Strict implementation of Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
Meanwhile, civil society groups have urged for state-level migration registers and grievance redressal cells to track and support migrant laborers.
Conclusion
The recent spate of alleged profiling and harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states presents a serious test for Indian federalism, constitutional values, and human dignity. While political parties continue to trade barbs, the urgent need remains: to safeguard the rights and dignity of every citizen, irrespective of language, religion, or place of origin.
The issue has now become not just about Bengal or migration—but about the very idea of India as an inclusive, constitutional democracy.
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