West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that Bengali-speaking Indian citizens are being harassed, persecuted, and illegally deported from BJP-ruled states. Citing a recent report by international rights watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW), Mamata launched a sharp attack on the Centre and accused it of orchestrating a targeted campaign against Bengali-speaking populations across India.
Taking to X, the Trinamool Congress chief said, “The internationally reputed and New York-based multi-country NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also now highlighted the issue of harassment, persecution, and illegal deportation of Bengali-speaking people of India by the BJP governments in various states.”
Mamata Banerjee claimed that HRW’s Asia Director, Elaine Pearson, has also voiced concern. “BJP is fuelling discrimination by arbitrarily expelling Bengalis from the country, including Indian citizens. The authorities’ claims that they are managing irregular migration are unconvincing,” Banerjee said.
According to Mamata Banerjee, the HRW report points to systematic abuse in BJP-ruled states like Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Delhi, allegedly acting on a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Shame!! Now, even international human rights organisations have started taking note of the linguistic terrorism unleashed in India. This must stop at once!!” the Bengal Chief Minister posted on X.
The BJP hit back at Mamata Banerjee, accusing opposition parties of using foreign-funded NGOs to malign India’s democratic institutions. BJP IT Cell Head alleged that a coordinated campaign is being run with foreign money to destabilise the country from within.
“After Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee quotes a report by Human Rights Watch, an NGO heavily funded by George Soros, now ADR moves the Supreme Court expressing doubts over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision process. What’s the common thread?” he posted on X.
Calling it a calculated move to undermine India’s democratic foundations, he said, “Make no mistake — this is not dissent, this is subversion. India is under siege. Foreign-funded fronts are being weaponised by the opposition to erode public trust in democratic institutions and sabotage the will of the people.”
“This is not just politics. This is a well-orchestrated foreign interference campaign to destabilise Bharat from within,” he added.
– Ends