West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday led a massive protest rally in central Kolkata, voicing strong opposition to what she termed as systematic harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states. Joined by top Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, the protest began at College Square and culminated at Dorina Crossing, drawing thousands of supporters. Banerjee accused the BJP of targeting Bengalis through profiling, wrongful detentions, and branding them as illegal immigrants.
Addressing the public gathering, Mamata Banerjee passionately denounced the arrest and harassment of Bengali migrant workers across India. “The BJP calls all Bengali-speaking people Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. This is not just a lie, it’s an insult to every citizen of West Bengal,” she declared. She condemned actions like eviction drives, foreigner tribunal notices, and detentions of skilled laborers, stating that such incidents alienate Bengali identity and hurt the spirit of national unity.
The protest also comes just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, intensifying the political spotlight. With assembly elections approaching, TMC appears to be leveraging identity politics to bolster grassroots support. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized Banerjee for allegedly ignoring local issues like teacher unemployment, and accused her of using “Bengali pride” to shield illegal infiltration. Despite these allegations, TMC leaders insisted the rally was about justice and dignity for Bengalis nationwide.
