Reports of Bengali-speaking migrant workers being detained in BJP-governed states and labeled as possible Bangladeshis have sparked a renewed political controversy in West Bengal. This situation served to reignite the TMC’s resonance on Bengali identity, a strategy that had effectively neutralized the BJP’s Hindutva movement in the 2021 Assembly elections.
As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, what started off as scattered allegations of migrant workers being treated unfairly has grown into a significant political issue. The claim being voiced alleges that BJP-led administrations in Odisha, Assam, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are conducting an ‘institutional and linguistic profiling’ and ‘criminalising poverty’ in the name of national security.
This predicament first surfaced in June, when roughly seven Bengali-speaking individuals were allegedly expelled to Bangladesh from Maharashtra and other regions. The expulsions were carried out absent of thorough citizenship validation or any advance warning to the West Bengal administration. Following confirmation of their Indian citizenship, these individuals were later returned to the country through appropriate legal and diplomatic means.
Just last week, Odisha Police held 444 labourers originating from different districts of Bengal under the suspicion of them being unregistered immigrants. Fifty of them were subsequently let go after producing their documentation for validation. In Delhi, an escalating civil unrest was observed as utilities like electricity and water were disconnected in areas predominantly occupied by Bengalis which further intensified the issue.
A Bengal Government official claimed that there are more than 1.5 crore migrant workers in Bengal leading respected lives. However, he voiced concerns over the comparative situation in BJP-controlled states, where Bengalis are reportedly being handled as infiltrators.
In response to these allegations, the Bengal government is currently looking into possible legal measures against what it believes to be ‘unconstitutional deportation’ of Indian nationals. It is projected that nearly 22.5 lakh Bengali-speaking migrants are engaged in various fields such as construction, brick kilns, factories, and the informal sector around the country.
In their defense, the BJP rejected these allegations, referring to national security considerations and issues regarding unlawful immigration. Despite condemning the reported unfair treatment and random arrests, Congress and CPI(M) have opted to stay clear from the ‘Bengali vs outsider’ viewpoint.
The scenario was summarized by a political observer as, ‘Bengal’s pride often takes precedence over policy. The migrant issue has offered a dynamic counter-narrative to TMC, which had been under attack from multiple angles.’
Following their victory in the 2021 elections, the TMC had attempted to redefine its identity, positioning itself as a national party with aspirations across India and minimizing the emphasis on its sub-nationalist agenda. However, as the Assembly polls draw closer, and with the Hindutva narrative gathering momentum, the party seems to be reverting to its most persuasive argument — the pride of being Bengali.
The forthcoming election results will be heavily influenced by whichever party can fluidly maintain its competitive narratives. This embodies the current narrative battleground of Indian politics.
The post Bengali Migrant Controversy Sparks Political Tension in West Bengal appeared first on Real News Now.
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