Bengali-speaking workers being targeted in BJP-ruled states, alleges Mamata CM blames DVC for flood situation in Ghatal

PTI, Kolkata, June 24, 2025 :  Claiming that Bengali-speaking people from the state were being branded as Bangladeshis in some BJP-ruled states, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said this cannot be allowed.

Mamata told reporters in her Assembly chamber that she has information that 300–400 Bengali-speaking migrant labourers were confined in a building in Rajasthan during the day despite showing valid documents.

"Is it a crime to speak in Bangla, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, among other luminaries? I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not aware of this development. I will draw his attention," she said.

The Chief Minister claimed that apart from Rajasthan, such incidents also took place in BJP-ruled Delhi and Madhya Pradesh in the past.

To a question, Mamata said the chief secretary is taking up the latest such issue with his counterpart in Rajasthan. The incident allegedly took place at Bhiwadi, Nabanna sources said.

"So far my knowledge goes, whoever arrived till 1971 is an Indian citizen," Mamata added.

She said 1.5 crore migrant workers from different states are employed in different units in Bengal.

"But we can never imagine taking such steps which go against the spirit of pluralism of India. What if such steps are taken against migrants from other states here for speaking their mother tongue? Is speaking Bengali considered sacrilegious by BJP-ruled regimes?" she asked.

Mamata also claimed that Bengali has been removed as an optional language in the curriculum of Delhi University, expressing deep regret over the move.

"Is the Union Home Ministry under Amit Shah unaware of this witch-hunt against Bengali-speaking migrants?" she questioned.

The Chief Minister noted that around 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal are currently employed in other states.

"I often urge people to stay back and work here, but many go outside the state in search of livelihood. Is it their crime to speak in Bengali? They carry all relevant citizenship documents," she said.

On alleged atrocities against Dalits in BJP-ruled states, she said: "This is very unfortunate that minorities and Dalits are being attacked."

"They (Centre) despatch 10 commissions whenever any stray incident is alleged in Bengal. But the Centre remains silent when attacks on Dalits, women, and minorities take place regularly in states ruled by their people (BJP)," she added.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday expressed concern over the Israel-Iran conflict and said India should take diplomatic initiatives to stop the hostilities.

Speaking during a discussion on environmental issues in the Assembly, Mamata said: "War has broken out in many parts of the world. Such conflicts are causing air and water pollution. We must take steps to stop this."

"Diplomatically and peacefully, we must take initiative so that war stops. I am not authorised to speak on external affairs and diplomatic issues, which come under the Indian government. This is my personal view as a concerned citizen of this world," she said.

Turning to the flood situation in Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district, the Chief Minister criticised the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for failing to carry out dredging operations at its Maithon and Panchet dams despite repeated reminders.

"They have not undertaken dredging in years. Now, DVC can store only one lakh cusecs of water. Had dredging been done regularly, the capacity would have been four lakh cusecs, and flooding in South Bengal could have been avoided," she said.

She accused the DVC of releasing large volumes of water from its dams during rain without informing the state government.

Mamata also alleged that the Centre was imposing its diktat on states over environmental issues.

"They want to impose guidelines on everything, even environmental issues. The Centre can recommend, but it should not bulldoze its decisions on states. States should have the autonomy to frame their own laws," she said.

Mamata added that the state had pioneered the battle to combat pollution through its own initiatives.

"Look at Bihar, Delhi, and some other states. Their pollution level is much higher," she claimed.

As part of Bengal’s 'Save Environment' initiative, the state has set a target to dig 4.5 lakh ponds to preserve water bodies, she added.

"Wetland is our lungs. We have to stop their filling. I am asking every department, from environment to municipal affairs, to stop any move to fill the wetlands," she said.

Referring to the chaos in the Assembly on Monday, where BJP alleged its members were assaulted by security personnel, the Chief Minister said: "Those who attacked marshals and vandalised microphones are now levelling charges. I have met the security personnel and heard what they went through."

"The only thing that I should say is that people's representatives should attend the Assembly and raise questions. I can say that unlike many other Assemblies, Opposition members get more time to speak in West Bengal legislature," she said.

On North Bengal floods, she said that due to heavy rains in catchment areas of Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim, rivers like Teesta are overflowing and causing havoc.