Language War on Bengal – In a fiery address on July 24, 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the central government of waging a “language war” against the people of Bengal. Speaking at a public meeting in Howrah on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the Bengali Language Movement, Banerjee said the repeated attempts to impose Hindi over regional languages were part of a broader cultural invasion that must be resisted by all Bengalis.
Historical Backdrop: Bengali Language Movement
The CM’s remarks came against the emotional and historical backdrop of the Bengali Language Movement of 1961, when 11 people were martyred in Silchar (Assam) for demanding the recognition of Bengali as an official language in the Barak Valley. “It was a movement for self-respect, for identity, for survival,” Banerjee said. “And we are being forced to fight that battle all over again.”
While West Bengal celebrates this day annually to honor the sacrifice made for the preservation of the Bengali language, this year’s commemorative speech took on new urgency amid fresh concerns over linguistic homogenization in national policy decisions.
Accusation Against the Centre: Language Imperialism?
Banerjee alleged that the central government, led by the BJP, was attempting to “bulldoze” regional languages by aggressively promoting Hindi and sidelining native tongues. “Why should I be forced to fill out a central form in Hindi? Why are bank documents in Delhi unreadable to a Bengali-speaking citizen? This is not inclusion — this is coercion,” she said.
Her government, she claimed, has always promoted multilingualism and diversity. “We are not against Hindi or any other language,” she clarified. “But we are against forced imposition. If a language is imposed on us, it becomes a weapon of domination.”
Policy Tensions: NEP and the Three-Language Formula
Banerjee’s speech referenced the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends a three-language formula in schools — typically consisting of English, Hindi, and the regional language. Many non-Hindi states, including Tamil Nadu and Bengal, have criticized the policy for what they see as an attempt to prioritize Hindi as the default secondary language, potentially diluting regional linguistic identities.
“Why should Bengali-speaking students be burdened with a language they don’t speak at home, in their culture, or in their future professional sphere? It’s absurd and unfair,” Banerjee declared, while also calling the NEP “a backdoor route to Hindi imposition.”
Language War on Bengal: Pushback from the Opposition
Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were quick to dismiss Banerjee’s remarks as political opportunism. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, said the CM was “misleading the people with divisive rhetoric.” He added, “The Centre is only promoting national integration. Mamata Banerjee is trying to incite fear among Bengalis for her own electoral gains.”
However, linguistic and cultural groups across the state seemed to resonate with the CM’s sentiments. Several local organizations held parallel events across Kolkata, Durgapur, and Siliguri, echoing the concern that India’s linguistic federalism is under strain.
Broader Concerns: India’s Linguistic Federalism at Risk?
The debate triggered by Mamata Banerjee’s speech brings attention to the broader national discourse about linguistic federalism. India’s Constitution recognizes 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule, and linguistic identity has historically been central to state boundaries and cultural policies. Any perceived overreach from the Centre on this matter can create significant regional backlash.
“India’s linguistic pluralism is not just cultural — it’s constitutional,” says Prof. Sudeshna Ghosh, a sociolinguist at Jadavpur University. “Undermining it in the name of integration damages the very foundation of federal unity.”
Banerjee’s address also comes at a time when there is heightened tension between the Centre and several regional governments, including those in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab — all of which have raised concerns over central overreach in education, taxation, and now, language.
The Role of Bureaucracy and Banking
The CM raised a critical practical concern: the dominance of Hindi in central government and banking communication. “Try withdrawing PF in a rural Bengal district and you’ll see the form is in Hindi. Our farmers don’t understand it. How is this fair?” she asked.
Her government, she announced, would initiate a state-level audit of central services operating in West Bengal to ensure compliance with multilingual accessibility. “We will not let them alienate our people from their own systems,” Banerjee added.
Steps Forward: Policy Responses and Mass Outreach
In response to the alleged imposition, Mamata Banerjee announced a string of new state initiatives:
- Language Equity Commission: A proposed watchdog to ensure Bengali receives equal footing in central schemes operating within Bengal.
- Legal Aid for Linguistic Discrimination: A helpline and legal support service to help individuals who face administrative challenges due to language barriers.
- Curriculum Strengthening: Plans to enhance Bengali content in schools and encourage bilingual learning models that give Bengali its due academic space.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Cultural programs, public forums, and social media drives will be launched to raise awareness about linguistic rights.
These measures are aimed not only at protecting the language but also at asserting West Bengal’s constitutional right to cultural autonomy.
Civil Society and Student Reactions
Student organizations and intellectuals across Bengal largely supported the CM’s stand. At Presidency University and Jadavpur University, students organized solidarity events and poetry recitals in Bengali, celebrating linguistic pride and denouncing “unjust imposition.”
“We are not against Hindi — we are against being made to feel inferior for speaking our mother tongue,” said Ananya Saha, a postgraduate student of literature.
Civil rights activists called for a nationwide dialogue on the cultural implications of uniform language policies. “If Hindi becomes the default in every institution, we lose not only language but also the stories, values, and perspectives that come with each tongue,” said sociologist Partha Roy.
Historical Sensitivities in Bengal
Bengal has historically been a hotbed of linguistic and cultural movements — from the anti-colonial literary resurgence of the Bengal Renaissance to the Partition-triggered refugee influx that saw Bengali identity being challenged and reshaped. Banerjee’s rhetoric thus taps into deep-rooted emotional and political memory.
Many recall the state’s pushback during the 1980s when attempts were made to prioritize Hindi in school curricula. In each instance, regional voices strongly asserted Bengal’s unique linguistic heritage.
Beyond Politics: The Emotional Core
At the heart of Mamata Banerjee’s message was an emotional appeal. “Language is not just a tool for communication,” she said. “It is the soul of our identity. If we let go of Bengali, we lose our connection to our ancestors, our songs, our prayers, our literature, and our conscience.”
That sentiment was echoed on social media where hashtags like #BanglaAmarMaa (Bengali is my mother) and #LanguageRights trended across Bengali Twitter.
External References for Context and Further Reading:
- Constitution of India – Eighth Schedule Languages
- National Education Policy 2020 – Government of India
- Historical Summary of the Bengali Language Movement
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