TMC Raises Concerns Over Safety of Migrant Workers Following Woman’s Death in Gujarat

PTI, KOLKATA, Feb 16, 2026: The Trinamool Congress has alleged that the death of a Bengali migrant woman in Gujarat points to a "deepening crisis of safety" for workers from West Bengal in BJP-ruled states, calling it a "grim reminder of systemic law and order failures".

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the ruling party in West Bengal said the body of 38-year-old Sonamoni Bairagya, a resident of Purba Bardhaman district working as a hotel attendant in Gujarat, was found in her room in the western state.

Without directly attributing any motive, the TMC claimed the incident was reported amid a "disturbing pattern" of crimes against Bengali migrant workers in states governed by the BJP. The TMC also referred to the recent murder of a migrant from Bengal, Sukhen Mahato, in Maharashtra and alleged that the BJP had attempted to “downplay the gravity” of that case.

It said that while investigations were underway and the exact motive behind Bairagya’s death was yet to be established, the recurrence of such incidents in BJP-ruled states raises “serious concerns about the safety and dignity of Bengali workers”.

The TMC further claimed that Bairagya had migrated to Gujarat in search of livelihood after her family was affected by the suspension of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in West Bengal, which it described as an “economic blockade” imposed by the Centre.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the party termed the incident a “scathing indictment” of governance in BJP-ruled states.

There was no immediate response from the BJP to the allegations.

According to family members in the Nandanghat area of Purba Bardhaman district, the hotel authorities in Gujarat claimed she died by suicide in her room, but they suspect foul play.

Her sister, Shefali Karmakar, lodged a complaint at Nandanghat police station on Saturday, alleging that Bairagya could not have taken her own life.

A senior police official of Purba Bardhaman district said a complaint had been received at Nandanghat police station, and an inquiry was initiated from their end.