Of migrants, mother tongue, and Mamata's move

Ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, the CM is leading a bhasha andolan, alleging migrant harassment and invoking Bengali pride to counter the BJP's narrative. Ishita Ayan Dutt explains

- Ishita Ayan Dutt

The political temperature in West Bengal is rising, with state elections scheduled for next year. At the heart of the brewing storm is the Bengali language, as reports of alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers surface from various parts of India. As emotions simmer, the issue has struck a chord in the state where identity politics is at the centre stage for some time.

On July 21, during the annual Martyrs' Day rally held by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a bhasha andolan—a language movement—invoking memories of the 1952 campaign in East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh in 1971.

Speaking at the rally, widely seen as setting the tone for the 2026 election campaign, Banerjee declared: "If people are tortured and arrested for speaking Bengali, then this fight will reach Delhi." She added: "I am not someone who gives up easily."

Three days later, on July 24, the chief minister raised fresh concerns over the treatment of Bengali-speaking individuals. She referred to growing instances of detentions and mistreatment of people from various districts of West Bengal in places such as Gurugram.

"West Bengal police is receiving these reports from Haryana police in the name of requests for identity searches. Have been separately and increasingly receiving reports from other states like Rajasthan about illegal 'pushbacks' of West Bengal citizens with all proper documents to Bangladesh directly!! Our officers have received copies of their appropriate documents!" she posted on social media platform X.

The TMC has since stepped up its efforts, with protest marches highlighting what Banerjee has described as "violence and disrespect" against the Bengali language. A new WhatsApp helpline has also been launched by the West Bengal police for migrant workers facing issues in other states.