Bengali HR Manager Branded ‘B’deshi’ for Speaking Native Tongue, Loses Job

Mayor Gautam Deb warns of strict action as linguistic harassment case rocks Siliguri

Amitava Banerjee | MP  | 9 Sept 2025 |  Darjeeling: After several reported incidents of migrant workers from Bengal being labelled as Bangladeshis and forced out of other Indian states, a disturbing case of alleged linguistic harassment has now surfaced within Bengal itself—specifically in Siliguri.

A Bengali HR manager was reportedly branded a “Bangladeshi” for speaking in his mother tongue, and subsequently lost his job. The incident has triggered widespread outrage and prompted swift political and administrative response, with Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb assuring strict legal action.

The victim, Abhishek Sengupta, joined Tea Linkers & Bansal Tea as an HR manager in March 2025. A native of Siliguri, Sengupta was born and brought up in the city, where his father served in the Indian Railways. He alleges the company maintained a discriminatory policy against recruiting individuals from religious minorities, and even dismissed a minority security staff member.

“I gave that employee a farewell, after which I became a target. For the past month, I faced harassment and was told only Hindi must be spoken in the office. When I spoke Bengali, I was branded a Bangladeshi who had crossed the border and assumed a Hindu identity,” said Sengupta.

He further alleged, “I have not been paid my salary. I was also heckled by Dhanraj Purohit and others from the company.”

Sengupta claims that despite multiple attempts, his complaints to the Siliguri police and the commissionerate yielded no action. Frustrated and seeking redress, he finally raised the issue through the ‘Talk to the Mayor’ helpline.

On Monday, Mayor Gautam Deb personally visited Sengupta’s home, spoke with him at length, and assured action.

“No matter how wealthy or powerful the perpetrators are, no leniency will be shown. Police have been directed to act strictly. Such incidents will never be tolerated in Bengal. I am a son of this soil myself,” said Mayor Deb.

This latest controversy comes on the heels of another incident in Kolkata, where students of Calcutta University were allegedly harassed and beaten by local traders for speaking in Bengali.

With two such incidents in quick succession, concerns are mounting over intolerance towards the Bengali language—even within its own state.

The police have now launched an investigation into Sengupta’s allegations. Meanwhile, the former HR manager has appealed to authorities to ensure that no Bengali in Bengal is ever forced to abandon their language.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bengali-hr-manager-branded-bdeshi-for-speaking-native-tongue-loses-job-626518