Didi to lead July 16 rally against B’deshi tag on Bengalis
Times of India | 14 July 2025
Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee will lead a protest against the tagging of Bengali-speaking migrant workers Bangladeshis, their illegal detentions and occasional deportations to Bangladesh by BJP-governed states, Trinamool said on Sunday. The rally will take place on July 16 at 1pm and go from College Square to Dorina Crossing. Protests will be held across Bengal between 2pm and 4pm as well as in Delhi. Trinamool, in a statement, has urged all Bengalis to join the protest to stand up for Bengal's pride.
Speaking to reporters at Trinamool Bhawan, state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, "Wherever you go, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi — all BJP-governed — if you dare to speak in Bengali, you will automatically be labelled Bangladeshi.
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"You are not a citizen of India; they are being told. What law is this? They hurt Bengali pride. What country do these people live in? Which party is there at the Centre and these states that are organising such crimes? These illegalities are being promoted by BJP-headed state govts, who are being helped by the Centre," she added.
"Delhi is the capital of India, and this illegality is being perpetrated in Delhi, right under the nose of the Centre. Poor people are being evicted because they speak Bengali. They cannot have electricity. They cannot have water. These poor people are pleading that they have photo ID cards. But they are being told nothing can be done, it is a crime to speak in Bengali," Bhattacharya said.
"You saw what happened in Odisha? You are curbing fundamental rights of movement, livelihood? Who gives you the right to work against constitutional guarantees," she continued.
"This on one hand and on the other is NRC. It is being said that if one speaks in Bengali, they cannot stay in India. Who is this Assam CM who says that speaking Bengali can determine how many foreigners stay (in Assam)? We would like to ask the Assam CM to read the history books again. Before dubbing Bengalis foreigners, he should know that this land has produced more freedom fighters that he can name," the minister said.
She called upon "all the people of Bengal to unite and participate in the rally.
" "CM Mamata Banerjee has always been at the forefront protesting this. She has spoken and written about it. She has also spoken to the Centre about it. This is about Bengal's pride. We will never tolerate this insult," Bhattacharya said.