KOLKATA, July 16: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of systematically harassing Bengali-speaking people across BJP-governed states and warned of a “dire political backlash” if such actions were not halted immediately.
Speaking at a rain-soaked public rally that culminated at Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata, Banerjee accused the central government of issuing covert instructions to states under BJP rule to detain Bengalis on suspicion and mistreat them under the guise of security enforcement. “I will challenge the central government notices which were surreptitiously sent to BJP-ruled states to harass Bengali-speaking people,” she said. “I am ashamed and disheartened at the Centre and the BJP’s attitude towards Bengalis.”
The protest march and rally were held in response to what Banerjee called “torture” of Bengali-speaking citizens outside the state. She alleged that such treatment was part of a broader political strategy and accused the Centre of manipulating constitutional bodies. “The Election Commission of India is no longer independent,” she claimed. “It is being used by the BJP to expand its control across states.”
The Trinamool Congress chief said she would not stay silent if such alleged persecution continued. “There are over 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal working in other parts of India. They have valid Aadhar, voter ID, and PAN cards. What right does the BJP have in arresting them or pushing them back to Bangladesh? Is West Bengal not part of India?” she asked.
Declaring that she would now speak more frequently in Bengali, Banerjee dared the Centre to act against her. “From now on, I will speak in Bangla. Hold me in detention camps if you can,” she said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
She also invoked her party’s 2021 election slogan Khela Hobey (the game is on), hinting at a renewed political battle in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. “If the BJP continues its persecution of Bengalis, the Trinamool Congress knows how to make them stop,” she warned. “Extreme situations call for extreme counter-measures. We will not fight physically, but politically — inch by inch.”
Banerjee’s remarks have intensified the political temperature in Bengal, signaling a high-stakes confrontation as both sides prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
