Bengal Police Start Helpline For Migrant Workers From State Facing Harassment Elsewhere, BJP Slams Move
The West Bengal police have introduced a helpline for migrant workers from the state facing harassment and identity checks elsewhere. Families of migrant workers have been raising concerns about their relatives being detained or questioned while working outside Bengal.
In a social media statement, Bengal police acknowledged the rise in such complaints and issued a call to action.
'If you encounter problems while working in another state, contact the state police helpline. We have received reports about Bengal natives being harassed and detained in other states. Many workers and their families are unaware of how or whom to report these issues to. Therefore, we urge citizens from Bengal, as well as their families, to inform the local police station or district control room immediately. Additionally, we are launching a dedicated helpline at 9147727666, available exclusively via WhatsApp. Users can send their information, including their name and address. Each case will be verified, and we will coordinate with the relevant state authorities to take appropriate action," the department said.
The statement emphasised that while police verification is being streamlined across various states, this helpline will expedite communication and verification processes, facilitating quicker intervention for affected migrant workers.
The Bengal government has been proactive in addressing migrant workers' welfare. A Migrant Workers' Welfare Board exists in the state, with an estimated 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal across India. However, the current situation involves specific issues related to identity verification, making the police helpline crucial at this moment.
In December 2023, the state government launched the Karmasathi (Parijayee Shramik) initiative, which includes a toll-free helpline (1800-103-0009) and a 24-hour call centre to support migrant workers. This initiative also established registration infrastructure at railway stations and block offices under the Migrant Workers' Welfare Scheme, 2023, to ensure the safety and well-being of workers across the country.
Government sources indicate that the situation calls for immediate action due to the rising instances of harassment and identity checks faced by migrant workers in other states. The police helpline is seen as an essential tool for families to seek immediate help and assistance.
Mamata Banerjee Raises Concerns
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently voiced her concerns about the increasing number of Bengalis allegedly being detained or harassed in various states, particularly those ruled by the BJP. This issue first gained prominence when Bengali workers were allegedly detained in Odisha, accused of being Bangladeshi nationals despite having valid Indian identification. Similar alleged instances have been reported in Haryana, where approximately 237 workers were detained, and in Rajasthan, where between 300 and 400 workers were similarly accused.
Banerjee said, 'Is it a crime to speak in Bengali?" She announced plans to launch a language movement on July 27, starting from Birbhum, to protest against what she describes as a cultural and linguistic assault on Bengali speakers.
BJP Hits Back
The TMC government has strongly criticised the 'ongoing harassment" of Bengali-speaking workers, claiming it is politically motivated. Trinamool leaders argue that this is part of a larger agenda to target Bengalis in BJP-ruled states, aiming to label them as Bangladeshis.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed these claims, accusing the TMC of trying to legitimise Rohingya migrants as potential voters. The BJP argues that the TMC's language movement is a political strategy to garner support among certain voter segments rather than a genuine concern for migrant workers' welfare.
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari said, 'This post is entirely politically motivated. It has been shared to confuse and disturb Bengali people living in different parts of India for work, intending to cause panic. Indian Bengalis and Hindu refugees across India are not facing any problems. However, Hindu Bengalis living in West Bengal often become victims of harassment by the police. To those people and to Indian Hindus coming from other states, no matter what language they speak, if they are residing in any district of West Bengal for work and are harassed by the police (Mamata's police), please send me the details via email. I will provide full assistance. My email ID is – adhikarisuvenduwb1@gmail.com."
'Additionally, I request any concerned citizens of West Bengal, if they come across any Rohingya Muslims or Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators residing in any district of West Bengal, to kindly send the information to my email ID. I will ensure that this information reaches the proper authorities," he said.
About the Author
Kamalika Sengupta
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women's issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...Read More
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
Fiery Op Sindoor debate in Parliament today, Shashi Tharoor unlikely to speak
After a week of disruptions, Parliament will begin debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor on Monday during the Monsoon Session. A key point of interest is whether Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will be allowed to speak. Tharoor led a delegation to the United States and other to Congress sources, Shashi Tharoor is unlikely to speak during the debate. 'Shashi Tharoor unlikely to speak on Operation Sindoor. The MPs, who want to speak on certain issues, have to send their requests to the CPP office, however, Shashi Tharoor hasn't done so far,' Congress sources if Shashi Tharoor skips the debate, it could raise questions, as the Thiruvananthapuram MP has had tensions with his party since leading a government-formed delegation abroad on the India-Pakistan conflict, against the Congress line. Tharoor's public support for the government's stand and the pause in hostilities had led to repeated exchanges with party colleagues critical of the ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition parties are set to field their top leaders for the discussions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to present the government's position on key issues. While there is no official confirmation yet, indications suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also step remains to be seen who will open the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor debate for the opposition if the chair invites anti-BJP parties to Rahul Gandhi is seen as a possible starter, he has previously allowed others, like his deputy Gaurav Gogoi during the 2023 no-confidence motion, to initiate the government and Opposition agreed to a 16-hour debate in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor on July 25. The discussion will focus on the government's response to the April 22 attack, which killed 26 leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have criticised the government for alleged intelligence failures and questioned India's international support, especially in light of US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating between India and Pakistan, which the government has denied.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Parliament
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
Parliament Monsoon Session Live: Lok Sabha braces for Op Sindoor debate, Rajnath Singh to speak at noon
As the Lok Sabha took up the Operation Sindoor debate on Monday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said the discussion must distinguish between two separate issues — the success of the Armed Forces and the recurrence of terror incidents under the BJP-led government. "Firstly, one has to accept that there are two separate issues. Firstly, we congratulate the Armed Forces for their bravery and valour during Operation Sindoor. If they had got a chance, they might have even taken POK. Before the Pahalgam attack, there was another incident that the public has not yet been informed about. The question is - why are terrorist incidents happening again and again under the BJP government? Where did the Pahalgam terrorists go? The government should answer where these terrorists went?" he said while speaking to reporters outside Parliament. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday called for a non-partisan approach to the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, urging both the ruling alliance and the Opposition to set aside political differences during the discussion. "The discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' starting in Parliament today should be approached by both the ruling party and the opposition by rising above partisan politics," Mayawati posted on X in Hindi. "Going forward, the government and the opposition should work together under a solid strategy to ensure that no woman's sindoor is wiped away and no mother has to lose her son; this is also the demand of the time," the BSP chief added in the same post. As the Lok Sabha prepares for a debate on Operation Sindoor on Monday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took to social media with a sharply worded remark signalling the government's strong stance against cross-border terrorism. "The discussion on #OperationSindoor begins today," Rijiju wrote, adding, "When Ravan crossed the Laxman Rekha, Lanka burned. When Pakistan crossed the red lines drawn by India, terrorist camps faced fire!" As the Lok Sabha gears up for a debate on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Monday questioned the Centre's handling of national security and accused it of delaying a serious discussion on the matter. "We hope that the government adopts a positive attitude... National security, security of citizens, foreign policy and Pakistan's policy of nurturing terrorism will be discussed in detail... It took the government 90 days to hold a discussion on this... If someone is criticising the government... then they should take it in a very positive manner. We hope the government will not show any bias in this," Bhagat said while speaking to news agency ANI. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is unlikely to participate in the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor today. MPs keen on speaking during key debates are required to route their requests through the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) office. As of now, Tharoor has not submitted any such request, party sources said. (With inputs from Rahul Gautam.) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to open the debate on Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha around noon today, leading the government's response on the high-stakes issue, news agency ANI reported. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to lead the government's charge in the Lok Sabha as the House prepares for a high-voltage debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor starting Monday, sources told India Today TV. They also indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may intervene to articulate the government's 'robust' stand on terrorism. The debate marks a shift from the disruptions that plagued the first week of the Monsoon session, with both the ruling NDA and the Opposition bracing for a heated face-off on national security. The Congress has issued a three-day whip to its Lok Sabha MPs, directing them to be present in the House from Monday as a debate looms over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The party is preparing to take on the government over the two high-stakes security issues, both carrying significant national and foreign policy implications.
Indian Express
34 minutes ago
- Indian Express
A day ago, Khadse targeted Mahajan; Opp says misuse of police machinery
A day before the arrest of Eknath Khadse's son-in-law in connection with the alleged drug seizure at a Pune apartment Sunday, the former state minister had launched an attack on BJP minister Girish Maharaj alleging lack of development in Jalgaon. After the arrest as well, Khadse, hinting at his tussle with Mahajan, said: 'I was suspecting that something like this would happen because of the prevailing political scenario.' The Opposition leaders also linked the arrest to Khadse's allegations against Mahajan, claiming that the BJP-led government is using police to target opponents. Meanwhile, minister Mahajan said that if Khadse believed his son-in-law would be framed, he should have alerted him. On Saturday, at a press conference, Khadse targeted his long-time rival Mahajan asking what development has he brought to Jalgaon — both the leaders hail from the district. 'What has he brought for Jalgaon in the name of development ? Where is the textile park project. ? Tell me, which big development project has this minister brought in for Jalgaon district ?…Where is the animal husbandry college ?…For 30 years, several projects of Jalgaon district are pending…I am the only one who was raising issues of Jalgaon and issues of farmers from Maharashtra,' Khadse said. Claiming that he will continue his work on the development front in Maharashtra , he said, 'I have never bowed before anyone and will never bow before anyone…I have always taken things to a logical conclusion.' Challenging Mahajan, Khadse said, 'He should accept the challenge of getting a narco test on Praful Lodha…Why is he running away ?' The Opposition had claimed that Praful Lodha, alleged to be a close aide of Mahajan once, was the alleged mastermind behind a 'honeytrap operation' which was used to bring down the MVA government in 2022. Demanding Mahajan's resignation, Khadse said, 'Girish Mahajan should take moral responsibility and resign…Whenever there is an issue, why is Girish Mahajan's name always right upfront ?' On Sunday, Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others were arrested after the Pune City police said it seized drugs during a raid at an apartment where they were allegedly partying. Minutes after the arrest, Mahajan said, 'At yesterday's press conference Khadse had raised the question as to how drugs are making their way into Chalisgaon. And today, his son-in-law has been caught holding a rave party with drugs.' Mahajan said if Khadse was alleging conspiracy, then he should wait for the investigation to get over. 'His son-in-law is not a small child to be taken away at night,' he said. Slamming the state government over the arrest, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, 'Khadse held a press conference and spoke against the state government with proof and a day later, his son-in-law was arrested. The government is not ready to investigate the allegations made by Khadse but instead it prefers to arrest those who make allegations.' 'Anything can happen during the tenure of the Mahayuti government. The police machinery is being used to target the opponents of BJP,' he alleged. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that the government is going behind those who bring out its wrongdoings. 'We don't trust what the police and the state government have done. They might even have planted the drugs. This government and its police machinery are highly untrustworthy. The Mahayuti government is going after the opposition leaders and their families because we are bringing out their wrongdoings,' he said.
