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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: As Mamata Banerjee begins a new ‘Bhasha Andolan' from today, a look at key language stirs in the past
Less than a year before the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee has called for a statewide 'Bhasha Andolan (language movement)' to protest the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states. In Bengal, movements centred on language are not new. Historically, both halves of the erstwhile undivided Bengal have seen multiple language agitations. Now, beginning July 27, Mamata will lead the newest iteration of a Bhasha Andolan in the state. Addressing the TMC's 'Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' Day)' rally on July 21 in Kolkata, Mamata accused the BJP of allegedly unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' against Bengalis and called for a movement against the 'harassment' of Bengali-speaking people in different states. Every year the TMC observes 'Shaheed Diwas' to mark police firing on workers of Bengal Youth Congress, then led by Mamata, in Kolkata on July 21, 1993, in which 13 people were killed. The state was then ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front. 'Bangla bhashar upor sontras cholchhe (terror is being unleashed on the Bengali language),' she said. 'Over 1,000 people detained, sent to jails in BJP-ruled states, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This is a conspiracy against the Bengali language. Whoever speaks Bengali is being detained in BJP-ruled states.' The CM said, 'We have over 22 lakh migrants outside Bengal. But there are 1.5 crore migrants working in Bengal. We love Hindi language, we love Gujarati language. But why do you (the BJP) conspire against Bengali language?' Announcing the Bhasha Andolan, Mamata said, 'From July 27, we will hit the streets in protest. Every Saturday and Sunday we will protest in Bengal. I urge our MPs to protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Delhi. Intellectuals and sports personalities would also participate in the protest.' 'Remember, Bengal took part in the freedom struggle… If people are put in jail for speaking the Bengali language, then we will protest. I am not someone who leaves the fight midway. Remember Nandigram fight, remember Singur… The BJP has to be removed from power at the Centre,' said Mamata, referring to the controversial land acquisition projects in Nandigram and Singur under the previous Left government in Bengal. After the Partition of India in August 1947, the newly-formed state of Pakistan was divided into two parts on either side of India – East and West Pakistan. The Bhasha Andolan has its roots in Bangladesh, when it was still known as East Pakistan. Soon afterwards, students and activists began a language movement in East Pakistan, seeking the recognition of Bengali as an official language. The Pakistani government declared Urdu as the sole national language, sparking widespread protests among the Bengali-speaking majority in East Pakistan in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The 'imposition' of Urdu was perceived as an attempt to undermine Bengali culture and identity, and politically marginalise those in East Pakistan. The movement peaked on February 21, 1952, when a peaceful demonstration was met with violent police action, resulting in numerous deaths. After years of unrest, the Pakistani government declared Bengali as an official language in 1956. The significance of the language movement extended beyond its immediate outcome. It is seen as a key moment in the assertion of Bengali cultural and national identity, which played a significant role in the subsequent movement for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971. In Bangladesh, February 21 is now commemorated as 'Martyrs' Day' to honour those who were killed during the language movement. In 1999, the UNESCO recognised February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. After Independence, the Bengali-speaking Manbhum district remained part of Bihar whose government declared Hindi as its official language. This sparked an agitation in Manbhum to demand equal status for Bangla or Bengali language. In May 1948, a proposal floated in the Congress party's Manbhum unit to declare Bengali as the official language in the district was defeated by 43-55 votes. Unhappy with the outcome, the district Congress president and secretary, along with 35 other party members, resigned from the party. In June 1948, the Lok Sevak Sangha was founded in Manbhum to fight for Bangla rights and against the imposition of Hindi. This Bhasha Andolan was the first of its kind in India. The then Bihar government had restricted the use of Bengali in education in Manbhum, and went on to ban rallies demanding the recognition of Bangla, which set off fierce protests across the district in the early 1950s. In 1953, the Centre formed a States Reorganisation Commission. After holding hearings in Manbhum, the Commission, in its report submitted in October 1955, proposed the formation of a new Bengali majority district that would fall within West Bengal. So, in November 1956, the Purulia district – spanning 5,200 sq km and with a population of 11.7 lakh – was carved out of Manbhum and inducted in West Bengal. Noted actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty launched a sharp attack at Mamata over her call for a language agitation. 'She wants to create controversy in everything… Nothing is going to happen… Bangla language will remain as it is. Mamata Banerjee has got no monopoly over it… We will put up a strong fight,' he said. Chakraborty alleged that the TMC was attempting to 'manufacture issues' ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. 'Bengali-speaking people have not faced any kind of unnecessary harassment anywhere in the country. Actually, the TMC is running short of issues before the elections. So the CM is trying to create a false narrative and trying to instigate common people, which she has always done,' he added. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya claimed that Mamata was more interested in 'protecting Bengali-speaking infiltrators from Bangladesh'. 'Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims in the 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 alleged. Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty also took a jibe at the CM over her proposed stir. 'By calling her fight against the harassment of Bengali-speaking people as 'Bhasha Andolan', Mamata Banerjee has reduced the importance of the actual Bhasha Andolan. Not every fight can be branded as a language movement,' he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: As Mamata calls for a new ‘Bhasha Andolan', a look at key stirs
Less than a year before the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee has called for a statewide 'Bhasha Andolan (language movement)' to protest the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states. In Bengal, movements centred on language are not new. Historically, both halves of the erstwhile undivided Bengal have seen multiple language agitations. Now, beginning July 27, Mamata will lead the newest iteration of a Bhasha Andolan in the state. Addressing the TMC's 'Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' Day)' rally on July 21 in Kolkata, Mamata accused the BJP of allegedly unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' against Bengalis and called for a movement against the 'harassment' of Bengali-speaking people in different states. Every year the TMC observes 'Shaheed Diwas' to mark police firing on workers of Bengal Youth Congress, then led by Mamata, in Kolkata on July 21, 1993, in which 13 people were killed. The state was then ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front. 'Bangla bhashar upor sontras cholchhe (terror is being unleashed on the Bengali language),' she said. 'Over 1,000 people detained, sent to jails in BJP-ruled states, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This is a conspiracy against the Bengali language. Whoever speaks Bengali is being detained in BJP-ruled states.' The CM said, 'We have over 22 lakh migrants outside Bengal. But there are 1.5 crore migrants working in Bengal. We love Hindi language, we love Gujarati language. But why do you (the BJP) conspire against Bengali language?' Announcing the Bhasha Andolan, Mamata said, 'From July 27, we will hit the streets in protest. Every Saturday and Sunday we will protest in Bengal. I urge our MPs to protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Delhi. Intellectuals and sports personalities would also participate in the protest.' 'Remember, Bengal took part in the freedom struggle… If people are put in jail for speaking the Bengali language, then we will protest. I am not someone who leaves the fight midway. Remember Nandigram fight, remember Singur… The BJP has to be removed from power at the Centre,' said Mamata, referring to the controversial land acquisition projects in Nandigram and Singur under the previous Left government in Bengal. After the Partition of India in August 1947, the newly-formed state of Pakistan was divided into two parts on either side of India – East and West Pakistan. The Bhasha Andolan has its roots in Bangladesh, when it was still known as East Pakistan. Soon afterwards, students and activists began a language movement in East Pakistan, seeking the recognition of Bengali as an official language. The Pakistani government declared Urdu as the sole national language, sparking widespread protests among the Bengali-speaking majority in East Pakistan in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The 'imposition' of Urdu was perceived as an attempt to undermine Bengali culture and identity, and politically marginalise those in East Pakistan. The movement peaked on February 21, 1952, when a peaceful demonstration was met with violent police action, resulting in numerous deaths. After years of unrest, the Pakistani government declared Bengali as an official language in 1956. The significance of the language movement extended beyond its immediate outcome. It is seen as a key moment in the assertion of Bengali cultural and national identity, which played a significant role in the subsequent movement for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971. In Bangladesh, February 21 is now commemorated as 'Martyrs' Day' to honour those who were killed during the language movement. In 1999, the UNESCO recognised February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. After Independence, the Bengali-speaking Manbhum district remained part of Bihar whose government declared Hindi as its official language. This sparked an agitation in Manbhum to demand equal status for Bangla or Bengali language. In May 1948, a proposal floated in the Congress party's Manbhum unit to declare Bengali as the official language in the district was defeated by 43-55 votes. Unhappy with the outcome, the district Congress president and secretary, along with 35 other party members, resigned from the party. In June 1948, the Lok Sevak Sangha was founded in Manbhum to fight for Bangla rights and against the imposition of Hindi. This Bhasha Andolan was the first of its kind in India. The then Bihar government had restricted the use of Bengali in education in Manbhum, and went on to ban rallies demanding the recognition of Bangla, which set off fierce protests across the district in the early 1950s. In 1953, the Centre formed a States Reorganisation Commission. After holding hearings in Manbhum, the Commission, in its report submitted in October 1955, proposed the formation of a new Bengali majority district that would fall within West Bengal. So, in November 1956, the Purulia district – spanning 5,200 sq km and with a population of 11.7 lakh – was carved out of Manbhum and inducted in West Bengal. Noted actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty launched a sharp attack at Mamata over her call for a language agitation. 'She wants to create controversy in everything… Nothing is going to happen… Bangla language will remain as it is. Mamata Banerjee has got no monopoly over it… We will put up a strong fight,' he said. Chakraborty alleged that the TMC was attempting to 'manufacture issues' ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. 'Bengali-speaking people have not faced any kind of unnecessary harassment anywhere in the country. Actually, the TMC is running short of issues before the elections. So the CM is trying to create a false narrative and trying to instigate common people, which she has always done,' he added. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya claimed that Mamata was more interested in 'protecting Bengali-speaking infiltrators from Bangladesh'. 'Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims in the 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 alleged. Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty also took a jibe at the CM over her proposed stir. 'By calling her fight against the harassment of Bengali-speaking people as 'Bhasha Andolan', Mamata Banerjee has reduced the importance of the actual Bhasha Andolan. Not every fight can be branded as a language movement,' he said. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Alcohol, biryani lured crowd': Suvendu Adhikari on TMC Martyrs' Day rally turnout
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged that attendees at the TMC's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata were lured with 'alcohol and biryani' and questioned the authenticity of the crowd. His remarks came as he addressed a gathering at the BJP Yuva Morcha's 'Uttar Kanya Chalo' rally in Siliguri on the same day when the TMC held its July 21 Shaheed Diwas rally in Kolkata. The BJP Yuva Morcha-organized rally commenced from Tinbatti More, proceeded through Uttar Kanya before concluding at the Chunavati Ground in Fulbari. 'Under this scorching heat, we walked for three kilometre. We couldn't give vehicles, egg rice, or even water, yet you all chose to walk alongside us at a time when North Bengal is witnessing 40-degree temperature. I am really happy about this,' Adhikari said. 'In West Bengal, on July 21 no one can hold any programme because the queen of thieves is holding a public meeting at Dharmatala. Thousands of thieves and Rohingya are sitting in the front (row) as the CM is addressing the public,' Adhikari said. He mockingly added that 'no one will steal anything, no dacoity will take place in Bengal today (Monday), as all the goons have gathered at Dharmatala,' he said. He praised BJYM state president Indranil Khan for organising the rally on the same day as the TMC's event. Adhikari also called for the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC)-like process, akin to what was seen in Bihar. 'We want a Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision to be implemented here as well. The Hindus who have come from Bangladesh are refugees. The Muslims here should not worry, but Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims will not be there in the electoral roll,' he said. However, at the TMC rally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed the prospect of such an implementation, stating that she would protest in Delhi if it were to happen. The BJP leader accused the state government of obstructing development initiatives, claiming, 'Modi wanted to open AIIMS in North Bengal, but she didn't let us do so.' Adhikari also said, 'If anyone wants to save Hindus, then throw Mamata out of power. People have now realized how the TMC government fooled and exploited them.' Apart from Khan, other prominent BJP leaders present at the rally included Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh and BJP Siliguri Organisational District President Arun Mondal. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘If voters' names are removed like in Bihar, we'll take fight to Delhi, gherao ECI office': Mamata Banerjee at July 21 rally
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday laid out the party's roadmap ahead of next year's crucial Assembly elections and announced the launch of a 'bhasha andolon' from July 27, protesting the alleged harassment and detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers. She was addressing a rally at Kolkata's Esplanade East to mark Shaheed Diwas. Banerjee threatened to take the agitation to Delhi if, like in Bihar, voters' names are removed from electoral rolls in Bengal. 'I respect the EC Chair. But in Bihar, over 40 lakh names have been removed from the voters' list. They (Election Commission of India) are planning a similar move in Bengal. I'm saying it clearly — we will not allow that. We will take the fight to Delhi. If needed, we will gherao the Commission's office,' Banerjee said. Referring to what she called a conspiracy against Bengali, the Bengal Chief Minister said, 'Bangla bhashar upor sontras cholchhe (there is a reign of terror on the Bengali language). Over 1,000 people have been detained and jailed in BJP-ruled states including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh… Whoever speaks Bengali is being detained in BJP-ruled states.' She also showed purported detention camp notifications to the crowd at the rally. 'Remember, Bengal took part in the freedom struggle. If people are jailed for speaking in Bengali, we will protest. I don't abandon a fight midway. Remember Nandigram, remember Singur. BJP must be removed from power at the Centre,' she said. Banerjee also targeted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 'You can't control Assam but you're poking your nose into Bengal. If you continue this, I would ask Susmita Dev (TMC Rajya Sabha MP) to start a movement in Assam. We will all go there,' she said. Announcing the party's protest schedule, Banerjee said, 'From July 27, we will hit the streets. Every Saturday and Sunday, we will protest in Bengal. I urge our MPs to demonstrate at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Delhi. Intellectuals and sports personalities will also take part.' 'We have over 22 lakh Bengali migrants outside Bengal. And around 1.5 crore migrants work in Bengal. We love Hindi, we love Gujarati. But why are you (BJP) conspiring against the Bengali language?' she asked. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More Ravik Bhattacharya is the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. Over 20 years of experience in the media industry and covered politics, crime, major incidents and issues, apart from investigative stories in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Andaman Nicobar islands. Ravik won the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for political reporting. Ravik holds a bachelor degree with English Hons from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University and a PG diploma in mass communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik started his career with The Asian Age and then moved to The Statesman, The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. ... Read More
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Traffic ‘maintained very well,' Calcutta HC praises Kolkata police on Shaheed Diwas rally day
The Calcutta High Court on Monday was all praises for the way the Kolkata Police managed traffic on the day of the Shaheed Diwas rally by the Trinamool Congress, when lakhs of people had come from all over the state. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh observed, 'The roads have been maintained very well. I always say that I have full faith in the Kolkata police,' while giving the police a certificate. A lawyer from New Alipore agreed, claiming that he had reached the court from his residence at the same time as on other days in his car. At the same time, the Justice expressed his disappointment on seeing the absence of lawyers in the courtroom. On Monday, the Bar Association had appealed to the Chief Justice not to give any verdict in a case if one of the parties does not appear. Referring to that issue, the Justice observed, 'The court's work cannot proceed like this. I do not believe that the road conditions are not such today that we cannot reach the court by 10:30 am. You are spoiling the work atmosphere.' The court on Friday had directed that all processions heading to the TMC's rally at Central Kolkata's Dharmatala on July 21 must reach the venue by 8 am or after 11 am to ensure the smooth flow of traffic through Central Kolkata during rush hours. 'From 9 am to 11 am, the police authorities would ensure that there is no traffic congestion through the routes which lead to the High Court at Calcutta or within a fringe of 5 km where offices are situated at the Central Kolkata… Commissioner of Police, Kolkata would ensure that deployment of police force be adequately maintained to ensure smooth traffic movement,' said the court's order. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, on Thursday in a verbal observation, had urged the TMC to choose a different venue for the Martyrs' Day rally from next year, such as Shahid Minar, the Brigade Parade Ground, or the Salt Lake Stadium. The court had been hearing a petition filed by a group of lawyers alleging potential inconvenience to commuters due to the rally. The annual Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs' Day rally commemorates the death of 13 Youth Congress workers in 1993 after the police resorted to lathi-charge and opened fire at protesters, demanding that voter ID be made the sole document required for voting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, then a leader of the Youth Congress, was leading the protest demonstration.
