What next for Bengali migrants heeding Mamata call to return from BJP-ruled states?
Significant numbers have also returned from Delhi (108), Uttar Pradesh (68), Rajasthan (45), Gujarat (37) and Assam (10), stoking the narrative of alleged systematic targeting in BJP-ruled states. Even states governed by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) feature in the list, with 26 returnees from Bihar and 14 from Andhra Pradesh.Individual accounts put a human face to the statistics. From Maharashtra, there is the case of Abu Bakkar Mandal, a 33-year-old from Baduria in North 24 Parganas, whose dismembered body was found in a sack—an act described by those close to him and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as linked to anti-Bengali sentiment.From Haryana, 27-year-old Sabbir Alam of Bijubhita, North Dinajpur, returned with both legs broken, allegedly due to police torture under suspicion of being a 'Bangladeshi infiltrator'. Such incidents illustrate a climate of vulnerability for migrant labourers whose linguistic and regional identities appear to mark them as 'outsiders' in certain states.The district-level settlement data paints a clear picture of the parts of Bengal absorbing the largest inflows. Raiganj tops the list with a total of 933 returnees from at least 16 states, including the massive Haryana contingent. Murshidabad follows, receiving 788 in total. Coochbehar ranks third with 272 returnees.For the TMC government in Bengal, the returns pose both a humanitarian and a socioeconomic challenge. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised jobs, social security and educational support for the children of returning workers, framing the state as a safe haven for Bengali-speaking communities. Her statement—'even if we have just one roti, we will gladly share half with you'—reinforces this positioning.However, beyond the political messaging lies the complex reality of reintegrating thousands of workers into an already strained labour market while ensuring their safety in a politically charged environment.The broader context is that migration—both into and out of Bengal—has long been an economic necessity for many communities. The difference now is the perception among returnees that their safety can no longer be guaranteed in certain states. This perception is reinforced by violent incidents, rhetoric around 'outsiders' and administrative actions, such as police checks allegedly targeting Bengali-speaking populations.advertisementWhat emerges is not only a humanitarian concern but also how interstate migration is being shaped by identity politics. The concentration of returns from states where the BJP or its allies are in power will inevitably fuel political interpretations but the underlying issue—whether linguistic identity should determine a migrant's safety—remains a pressing national question. For Bengal, the challenge will be to sustain its image as a secure destination while achieving the social, economic and cultural integration of those who have come home under duress.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
National Guard in DC: How many troops were sent to Washington? Can they arrest locals? All FAQs
National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, DC, after President Donald Trump's directive to address crime in the capital. Videos posted on social media showed feds patrolling streets in DC, with locals fearing arrests. This comes after the White House ordered the mobilization of the National Guard to 'clean up' the city. Members of the military stand guard alongside a military Humvee at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility(Getty Images via AFP) How many National Guard troops have been deployed to DC? The guard members entered the DC National Guard's headquarters, just next to the Capitol, earlier this week. On Monday, the Army activated about 800 soldiers to be mobilized in Washington, DC. According to officials, they will assist law enforcement. Read More: Is Jimmy Kimmel planning to leave US after Trump's warning? Late-night host confirms Italian citizenship 'Currently, the National Guard is being deployed to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence," a White House official said Monday, as per NBC News. Can the National Guard arrest locals? No, under the District's Home Rule Act, DC National Guard troops are prohibited from making arrests. Their role is limited to administrative, logistical support, and providing a visible presence to deter crime, with any detentions handed over to local or federal law enforcement. Read More: Why did Donald Trump deploy the National Guard in Washington? Other FAQs Why were troops deployed? Trump cited rising crime and disorder to assert federal control over the Democrat-led city. Is this legal? Yes, the DC National Guard operates under presidential control, bypassing restrictions on state guards. How long will they stay? The deployment runs from August 11 to September 25, 2025, unless extended by Congress or terminated earlier if conditions stabilize. What will they do? Tasks include supporting police with physical presence, guarding federal assets, and aiding logistical efforts, mirroring border security roles. Has this happened before? Yes, Trump deployed troops in 2020 to manage protests after George Floyd's murder.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP accuses Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar of abetting RCB stampede
Bengaluru: The opposition BJP accused the govt of "abetting" the stampede that occurred during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations at M Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4, and demanded a CBI investigation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Eleven people died in the incident. The accusation came during a discussion under Rule 69, with opposition leader R Ashoka and BJP veteran S Suresh Kumar leading the attack. Ashoka, in a two-and-a-half-hour speech, alleged the govt was complacent and failed to anticipate the massive turnout despite repeated warnings from all quarters. "In your hurried intent to lap up popularity and affection of the people, you rushed into the celebratory event… If it was not so, then why did traffic police decide to draw up traffic diversions around the stadium?" he asked. Drawing a parallel with suicide cases, Kumar said: "This govt is an abettor in this tragedy." BJP demanded a joint house committee and a CBI inquiry, along with "an unconditional apology from the govt" to families of the victims. Ashoka called it a total failure of crowd management, saying, "Who gave permission for the celebration? Who finalised the SOP? Were ambulances kept ready?" He insisted a case of negligence causing death should have been filed, adding, "I fail to understand what the CM and deputy CM were doing." He criticised the IPL, alleging it fuels betting among the poor: "My own cook indulged in theft to get money for betting," Ashoka said. He accused the govt of seeking political mileage, while presenting govt letters to top officials as evidence of official permission. "Without directions from the CM and deputy CM, it would have been impossible for DPAR to permit the event," he said. Quoting Justice Michael D'Cunha's report, he said directions from the CMO to RCB and event managers were documented. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If the govt had spent just five minutes thinking about it on June 4, the tragedy could have been prevented," Ashoka said. Yatnal berates Ashoka Suspended BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, meanwhile, castigated opposition leader R Ashoka during the debate on the stampede, for shying away from directly blaming CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. "I have heard you since morning speaking about the faults of the administration, but nowhere are you fixing blame on the political leadership of this govt," Yatnal said, intervening in the discussion. "Say it in plain words that the CM and DCM are directly responsible for the tragedy." Yatnal was suspended from BJP for six years for alleged anti-party activities.
Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
SGPC chief Dhami slams Giani Harpreet, says breakaway faction will deepen divisions in Panth
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that the elevation of former Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh as the head of the breakaway Akali Dal faction will further intensify the fight within the community. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami addressing a press conference on Tuesday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) Replying to queries on the delegate session called by the Akal Takht-appointed committee mandated to recast the SAD, Dhami said the entire exercise was to make two Akali Dals. 'When I first heard that Giani Harpreet Singh wants to become president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), I questioned him about this. He himself said that if both groups wished, he might become the president. Now, his long-cherished wish has been accomplished. This has created divisions in the panth. This will intensify the fight within the community,' Dhami said. Dhami said that as the chairperson of the seven-member committee, he made efforts to unite both the groups. 'I wanted to prevent the internal dispute in the panth. When I saw that my efforts were going in vain, I resigned from the committee and presidency of the SGPC,' he added. Dhami also questioned the delegate session and alleged that the entire process was pre-planned. 'They said they have elected 500 delegates. Have you got a list of the delegates? They are talking about the restoration of democracy within the party. Surjit Singh Rakhra announced a day before that Giani Harpreet Singh would become president and Satwant Kaur would head the panthic council. They failed to introduce a new system. Everything was finalised before the meeting of the delegates', he said. Dhami said SAD had split in the past as well, and through the election, people decided which one was real. 'However, I never saw that president of one faction calling for snatching of SGPC, party symbol and office. Is there any connection behind this language used by Giani Harpreet Singh? Such things never happened in the Sikh panth before. What is the intuition behind this statement? Anyone can contest SGPC elections to take its control?' the SGPC chief added. Responding to Giani Harpreet Singh's allegation that Centre is not conducting SGPC elections because it is in understanding with Sukhbir-led SAD, the SGPC chief said, 'This is not happening first time. There is no role of the SAD to prevent the polls. Punjab and Haryana high court has stayed the process after a petition was filed in this regard'. Hitting back at Dhami, some of the SGPC members, including Mithu Singh Kahneke, Malkit Singh Changal, Satwinder Singh Tohra and Jarnail Singh Kartarpur said, 'The internal war was started by none other than Sukhbir Singh Badal, and the SGPC chief supported him. Amid the calls for his resignation as party chief, Sukhbir started expelling his colleagues. That was the beginning of the internal war.' 'Sukhbir didn't implement the Jhundan committee report. It was all about monopolising control over the party. If Sukhbir had given up his control and allowed a universally accepted presidium to be formed, or appointed another president, or had a president elected through the seven-member committee, we would not be seeing this day today,' Kahneke said.
