logo
Oppn in Bengal takes jibe at CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Second Language Movement'

Oppn in Bengal takes jibe at CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Second Language Movement'

Hans India5 days ago
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's declaration of beginning weekend protest programmes against the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in BJP-ruled states from this month, which she described as another "Bhasha Andolon" (Language Movement) has attracted jibes from all opposition parties in the state, including BJP, CPI-M, and Congress.
Historically, "Bhasha Andolan" was a political movement in what was then East Pakistan, advocating for the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of the country, which ultimately led to the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation after erstwhile East Pakistan was liberated from Pakistan in 1971.
West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, said that this declaration from the Chief Minister was backed by her intention to back illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators.
He also demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) act against the Trinamool Congress for supporting Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators.
"Not a single Rohingya or Bangladeshi Muslim should be in the voters' list. We cannot support their inclusion in the voters' list. The Election Commission must cancel the registration of Trinamool Congress as a political party for supporting such people. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee needs the support of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators to win elections," BJP leader Adhikari said.
State BJP President and Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, said that more than protecting the interest of the original Bengali-speaking Muslims in West Bengal, the Chief Minister is more interested in protecting the Bengali-speaking Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh.
"Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims in border areas of West Bengal are losing jobs to Bangladeshi Muslims, who have entered the country illegally. The true Bengali-speaking people are leaving West Bengal in search of jobs, and at times, they are being mistaken for Bangladeshi Muslims. Who is responsible for this? Illegal Rohingyas have been given a place to live in West Bengal. Fake job cards and voter cards are being issued to them. The Election Commission is taking action and deleting such fake voters. But Mamata Banerjee is supporting them for her vote bank politics," Bhattacharya added.
BJP's IT Cell Chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, issued a statement where he claimed that the speech of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday was reflection of her fear that, if the special intensive revision (SIR) by the Election Commission is implemented in West Bengal properly, and free and fair elections are held, the Trinamool Congress will be defeated in 2026 state polls.
"As usual, Mamata Banerjee is resorting to lies and fear mongering -- talking about "detention camps" and imaginary conspiracies. But the truth is this: She knows her reign of terror is nearing its end. And it is the curse of Bengal's people, especially its women, that will bring her down," Malviya's statement said.
Senior CPI-M leader and the party's central committee member, Sujan Chakraborty, took a jibe at CM Mamata Banerjee for announcing a 'Bhasa Andolan' to fight against the BJP.
"By calling her fight against the harassment of Bengali-speaking people as "Bhasa Andolan" (the Language Movement), Mamata Banerjee has reduced the importance of the actual Bhasa Andolan. Not every fight can be branded as the language movement," Chakraborty said.
Another CPI-M Central Committee member, Minakshi Mukherjee, said that Mamata Banerjee herself is responsible for the harassment of Bengali-speaking people in the country, as a large number of people left Bengal as migrant workers during her tenure as Chief Minister.
"Has the Trinamool Congress government done anything to protect the sanctity of the Bengali language and Bengali-speaking people? Migrant labourers from Bengal are being targeted in Assam and other states. Who is responsible for this situation? Why can't her government provide them with jobs? She cannot make people forget her government's failure to ensure a proper livelihood to Bengali-speaking people," Mukherjee added.
State Congress Spokesperson, Soumya Aich Roy, said that Mamata Banerjee should first arrest the exodus of Bengali people from West Bengal due to lack of jobs and industries, before using Bengali sentiment to mislead the people.
"Mamata Banerjee is trying to tap into the Bengali sentiment by bringing reference to 'Bhasa Andolan'. Instead of doing this, she must provide jobs to the people so that this migration stops," he added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mumbai on orange alert as IMD warns of more heavy rain
Mumbai on orange alert as IMD warns of more heavy rain

United News of India

time12 minutes ago

  • United News of India

Mumbai on orange alert as IMD warns of more heavy rain

States » West Mumbai July 26( UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday extended the orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts till today, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Palghar district remains under a red alert. Mumbai continued to reel under heavy rain today, with several areas experiencing intense showers in the early morning following an overnight downpour. The relentless rainfall led to waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and renewed fears of flooding in low-lying areas. UNI AAA AAB More News Mumbai on Orange alert as IMD warns of more heavy rain 26 Jul 2025 | 9:33 AM Mumbai July 26( UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today extended the orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts till today, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. see more.. Maha CM meets several leaders in Delhi for state development projects 26 Jul 2025 | 2:35 AM Mumbai / New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) In pursuit of various development projects for Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held meetings with several key leaders in Delhi over the past two days. see more.. Sanjay Raut claims Maha to get 'New Cabinet' as Sena daily reveals 'hitlist' 26 Jul 2025 | 12:51 AM Mumbai, July 25 (UNI) Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson Sanjay Raut today made a big claim that Maharashtra is likely to get a "new cabinet" soon, even as Friday's edition of the Sena-run Marathi daily newspaper 'Saamna' named eight ministers in the BJP-led Mahayuti government, who may be removed from their posts. "There is a chaotic atmosphere in the state government. Now that the situation has gone out of hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reached Delhi and the Maharashtra government is under the control of (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah. A situation has arisen, and big decisions are going to be taken. I have been saying that four ministers will exit from the cabinet. Now, discussions are underway in Delhi to clean up the cabinet and bring in a new cabinet," Raut said. see more.. Maha: Radhanagari irrigation dam overflowing 26 Jul 2025 | 12:48 AM Kolhapur, Jul 25 (UNI) The Radhanagari irrigation dam, the main drinking water resource of Maharashtra's Kolhapur city and neighbouring areas, was filled to its capacity at 10-05 pm tonight with its third and sixth automatic door open. see more..

Bihar hikes journalist pensions to  ₹15,000 ahead of assembly polls; CM Nitish Kumar says,  ‘khayal rakh rhe'
Bihar hikes journalist pensions to  ₹15,000 ahead of assembly polls; CM Nitish Kumar says,  ‘khayal rakh rhe'

Mint

time12 minutes ago

  • Mint

Bihar hikes journalist pensions to ₹15,000 ahead of assembly polls; CM Nitish Kumar says, ‘khayal rakh rhe'

Ahead of the assembly elections in the state, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar made a major announcement for journalists. The pension amount being given to accredited journalists in Bihar will be increased from ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 15,000. In a post on X, Nitish Kumar said, 'I am pleased to inform that under the 'Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Scheme', instructions have been given to the department to provide a monthly pension of ₹ 15,000 instead of ₹ 6,000 to all eligible journalists.' Additionally, in the event of the death of journalists receiving a pension under the 'Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Scheme', instructions have been given to provide their dependent spouse with a monthly pension of ₹ 10,000 instead of ₹ 3,000 for their lifetime, he added. Nitish noted, 'Journalists play a crucial role in democracy. They are the fourth pillar of democracy and have a significant role in social development. We have been taking care of journalists' facilities from the beginning so that they can perform their journalism impartially and live with dignity after retirement.' This comes at a time when the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the Bihar assembly polls has erupted in a massive row in the country, with the opposition INDIA bloc alleging that it will delete a significant chunk of voters. As per the latest data released by the Election Commission of India on July 25, 99.8 per cent of Bihar electors have been covered so far in the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Forms of 7.23 crore electors have been received and digitised; the names of all these electors will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll. The digitisation of forms, along with BLO reports, of the remaining electors will also be completed by August 1, 2025, the poll body stated. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders, attended the protest. Carrying a banner which read 'SIR-Attack on Democracy,' the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision be halted. Journalists play a crucial role in democracy. They are the fourth pillar of democracy and have a significant role in social development. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. (With inputs from agencies) Key Takeaways The pension increase reflects the government's acknowledgment of journalists' contributions. The timing of the announcement may be strategic, coinciding with upcoming assembly elections. A monthly pension for dependents of deceased journalists has also been raised, emphasizing long-term support.

UP BJP shortlists six names for new state unit chief's post
UP BJP shortlists six names for new state unit chief's post

Hindustan Times

time14 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

UP BJP shortlists six names for new state unit chief's post

The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sent a shortlist of six names – two Brahmins, two from the backward community and two from the Dalit community, all men – to the national leadership that is set to pick the next chief of the state unit, a senior party leader said on Friday. Former Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma is among the six names shortlisted. (FILE PHOTO) India's most populous state is set to go to the polls in early 2027 and the choice of the state unit chief is considered among the key decisions in front of the BJP, which will look to reverse its Lok Sabha setback in the state and secure a third consecutive term in Lucknow. The BJP, which has already picked state chiefs in over 25 of 37 organisational units, is also gearing up to name its next national president. The new state chief will replace Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, a Jat leader from western Uttar Pradesh, said the BJP leader. The names suggested include former deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and former Basti MP Harish Dwivedi (both Brahmins), sitting UP minister Dharampal Singh and sitting Union minister of state BL Verma (both OBCs), and former Union minister Ram Shankar Katheria and sitting MLC Vidya Sagar Sonkar (both Dalits). 'On our part, we have suggested to the central leadership suitable names that can be considered for the post of UP BJP chief and the leadership is actively evaluating them. A decision is likely within the next two weeks, possibly earlier,' said the leader. Sharma, a Brahmin leader known for his clean image and academic credentials, enjoys the confidence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the top leadership. Dwivedi, also a Brahmin, brings youth and parliamentary experience, having served as an MP from Basti and a national secretary in the party. Both Dharmpal Singh and BL Verma are from the influential Lodh community. Singh, a senior minister in the UP cabinet, has decades of legislative and ministerial experience. Verma, currently Union minister of state, is seen as a disciplined and low-profile organiser with deep RSS links. He enjoys trust within the organisation. Katheria, a former Union minister and ex-chairman of the National Scheduled Caste Commission, is known for his aggressive articulation of Hindutva and Dalit identity. Sonkar, an MLC, is a low-key but loyal party worker with influence in eastern UP. UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said, 'We have apprised the high command of our views. Now, it is for the central leadership to declare the name of the new president for the state and this, we hope will happen very soon.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store