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India Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why ‘Being Bengali' is Mamata's hot new theme
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 28, 2025)As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly election, the ruling Trinamool Congress has plunged headlong into an emotionally charged campaign centred on identity politics. At the heart of this campaign lies a powerful narrative: the defence of Bengali linguistic and cultural pride amid what the party alleges is an organised effort to harass, criminalise and deport Bengali-speaking migrant workers from BJP-ruled states. The incidents, TMC leaders claim, are part of a wider attempt to delegitimise Bengali identity across India. This endeavour is also tied to the BJP's efforts to shed a past filled with conflicting signals, bordering on antagonistic, on Bengalihood—with a distinctively north Indian accent. The latest reparative gesture came with the naming of Samik Bhattacharya as state BJP chief. While a dyed-in-the-wool Sangh product, his relatively sober persona gels better with the old bhadralok prototype. His coronation event, too, was saturated by Bengali religious iconography, especially that of goddess All reasons, therefore, existed for the TMC to mount a military-style area denial operation. That reached its crescendo with a mammoth rally in central Kolkata on July 16. With chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC scion Abhishek Banerjee on the podium, full-throated commitment to the cause was guaranteed. The BJP, Mamata alleged, was trying to reduce Bengalis to the status of 'infiltrators' in their own country. In pouring rain, she brought the teeming crowds to boiling point, claiming the Centre had secretly instructed BJP-ruled states to arrest and deport Bengali-speaking individuals, often without cause. 'Why are you torturing Bengalis? People are being arrested even after showing documents. What was their fault? Just speaking in Bengali?' she demanded. The TMC has not been alone in raising the alarm. On July 15, the CPI(M), too, organised a march to show solidarity with Bengali-speaking sense of persecution is reinforced by some well-publicised cases. In Delhi's Jai Hind Colony in Vasant Kunj, home to hundreds of Bengali-speaking daily wage workers, TMC MPs and leaders, including Sagarika Ghose, Saket Gokhale, Dola Sen and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, joined sit-in protests after reports emerged that residents with valid Aadhaar and voter ID cards were being branded 'illegal', and then denied basic amenities like power and water. Similar targeting was reported from Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Assam. One case involved Nizamuddin Sheikh, a 34-year-old mason from Murshidabad's Hariharpara. Picked up by the Mumbai police on June 10 despite having proper identification, he was flown to Tripura and allegedly pushed across the Bangladesh border by the Border Security Force. 'They beat us with lathis and boots,' Nizamuddin said after his return. 'We had no phones, no money, only fear.' Once he contacted the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), he was eventually repatriated via Cooch Behar on June 17. Others such as Minarul Sheikh from Murshidabad, Mostafa Kamal Sheikh from Bardhaman, and Fazel and Taslima Mandal from North 24 Parganas were also reportedly deported, and later brought back through state intervention. Acting on a petition regarding six detainees from Birbhum's Pikor village allegedly deported to Bangladesh, the Calcutta High Court on July 11 asked the Union home ministry to submit a detailed explanation of its deportation unconstitutional. The BSF did not contact the state before deporting Indian citizens,' says Samirul Islam, TMC Rajya Sabha MP and chairperson of the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board. Some 2.2 million migrant workers from Bengal are registered with the board, he lets on. Mamata has also pointed out that Bengal hosts nearly 15 million workers from other TMC has cast its campaign as a battle for 'Bangaliyana', a composite Bengali identity that transcends religion and caste. The emotional charge around this is aimed squarely at consolidating support among Bengal's rural electorate, which provides the bulk of the migrant PUSHBACKThe BJP has pushed back hard. On the same day as Mamata's rally, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari met West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal and flagged what he called an 'abnormal rise in population' in the state's border districts. He cited the arrest of a suspected operative of the Bangladeshi militant organisation Ansarullah Bangla Team in Assam, who allegedly voted thrice in Bengal. Claiming that 80 of Bengal's 340 blocks are now 'manned by officers who are illegal immigrants', Adhikari demanded an exhaustive combing of the voter rolls, akin to the special intensive revision in Bihar. Earlier, he had dismissed the TMC's allegations of persecution as deliberate exaggeration, stating that only Rohingya 'infiltrators' were being TMC countered this breezy explanation with names and emotional testimonies, including those of Hindu victims. Some 200 migrant Bengali workers—among them Debashish Das from Hooghly—were detained and harassed in Odisha last week. Uttam Kumar Brojobasi, a Rajbanshi from Dinhata in Cooch Behar, reportedly received a Foreigners Tribunal notice from Assam despite living in West Bengal for over five decades. Even Bengal's Matua community, traditionally aligned with the BJP, is feeling the heat. Aarush Adhikari from Habra, working in Pune, was arrested despite possessing a Matua identity card issued by the BJP-linked All India Matua Sangha. 'We're trying to get my brother out. He has all the documents,' his brother Bhagirath says. Meanwhile, BJP state chief Bhattacharya declared, 'No Bengali Hindu and no Indian Muslim will have to provide any document to prove their citizenship. This is Bengal BJP's assurance. TMC's ugly politics will backfire.' But this statement, or its omission of the category 'Bengali Muslims', has intensified scrutiny of the BJP's position, especially in light of a statement from Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 9 that it was easy to find out the number of Bengalis in Assam if all its speakers named 'Bengali' as their mother tongue during census. As his comments created a furore for trying to equate all Bengalis with 'illegal Bangladeshi immigrants', Sarma denied he is 'anti-Bengali' and claimed that Bengali speakers in Assam understand his campaign against illegal controversy has opened up larger questions around migration and governance. Garga Chatterjee, founder of the Bengali nationalist group Bangla Pokkho, criticised the West Bengal government for not doing enough to prevent the exodus of Bengali workers. 'Why is there no reservation for Bengali speakers in government jobs?' he asks. 'The TMC should focus on creating jobs instead of just exploiting the issue politically.'advertisementYet Mamata has framed the issue in personal terms.'I dare you to send me to a detention camp. I'll speak more in Bengali,' she said on July 16. As Bengal hurtles toward 2026, the TMC's assertion that this is not just a political campaign but a cultural resistance movement may resonate beyond its traditional support base. Language, identity and dignity have become the central axes around which the state's politics will revolve in the coming to India Today Magazine- Ends
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bengal BJP Chief Calls Urgent Delhi Meet Tomorrow To Counter TMC Attack In Parliament
Last Updated: Tomorrow's meeting is expected to chalk out talking points for MPs, prepare rebuttals, plan floor interventions, media outreach, and coordinated messaging on social platforms Amid growing tension between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants, the West Bengal unit of the saffron party has sprung into action with chief Samik Bhattacharya calling a high-level strategy meeting in Delhi on Monday (July 21). The larger message the BJP wants to push is that the TMC is allegedly risking national security by providing Aadhaar cards to illegal Bangladeshis for political benefits. Bhattacharya will hold a meeting with all the BJP MPs from West Bengal, ahead of the monsoon session and will arrive in New Delhi late on Sunday. The meeting's agenda is to finalise the BJP's counter to the TMC's 'BJP is anti-Bengali" narrative — the Mamata Banerjee-led party is expected to vociferously push this on the floor of both Houses in the coming days. According to sources, the BJP is anticipating a coordinated and 'all-out" offensive by TMC MPs, targeting central leadership as well as state representatives, particularly over the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking Muslims in BJP-ruled states. The TMC has claimed that these individuals are Indians, while the local administration suspects them to be Bangladeshis. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently led a march in Kolkata to protest the alleged harassment of Bengali speakers in BJP-ruled states. 'What does the BJP think? They will hurt Bengalis? They are calling them Rohingya. Rohingya are in Myanmar, not here. 22 lakh poor migrant workers are being targeted," Banerjee said. Banerjee also had a spat with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over the treatment of Bengali-speaking individuals in his state. She further raised the issue of how electricity was disconnected in a Delhi locality primarily occupied by Bengali-speaking migrants, which the BJP claimed was as per court orders. The BJP has repeatedly alleged that the TMC is risking national security by providing Aadhaar cards to illegal Bangladeshis for political benefits. The TMC has countered this by saying these individuals are Indians and Bengali, accusing the BJP of an 'anti-Bengali" mindset — a charge that, if believed by Bengal, could cost the BJP with elections seven to eight months away. Hence, the meeting on Monday is expected to outline talking points for MPs, prepare rebuttals, possibly plan floor interventions, media outreach, and coordinated messaging on social platforms. This flashpoint comes at a time when the TMC is already under fire over corruption allegations and administrative lapses in Bengal. The BJP insiders believe the 'anti-Bengali" rhetoric is an attempt by the TMC to deflect from its governance record and rally regional sentiment ahead of the assembly elections next year. With emotions likely to run high, both sides seem to be preparing for a fiery face-off in Parliament next week. view comments 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.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
West Bengal Assembly elections 2026
As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly election, the ruling Trinamool Congress has plunged headlong into an emotionally charged campaign centred on identity politics. At the heart of this campaign lies a powerful narrative: the defence of Bengali linguistic and cultural pride amid what the party alleges is an organised effort to harass, criminalise and deport Bengali-speaking migrant workers from BJP-ruled states. The incidents, TMC leaders claim, are part of a wider attempt to delegitimise Bengali identity across India. This endeavour is also tied to the BJP's efforts to shed a past filled with conflicting signals, bordering on antagonistic, on Bengalihood—with a distinctively north Indian accent. The latest reparative gesture came with the naming of Samik Bhattacharya as state BJP chief. While a dyed-in-the-wool Sangh product, his relatively sober persona gels better with the old bhadralok prototype. His coronation event, too, was saturated by Bengali religious iconography, especially that of goddess Kali.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Replace Stones With Books': Samik Bhattacharya's Debut Speech Signals BJP's Tactical Shift In Bengal
Last Updated: A closer reading of his speech reveals that Bhattacharya invoked Bengal's complex history, which includes several major riots both before and after independence. In a clear departure from the hardline, polarised politics that have characterised West Bengal in recent years, newly elected BJP state Chief Samik Bhattacharya, in his debut speech before party workers on Thursday, stated that Muslims in the state need to understand that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has never been against them. 'The BJP wants to replace stones with books and swords with pens in the hands of Muslim youth," Bhattacharya said, emphasising that Muslim youth have been used merely as a vote bank by Mamata Banerjee over the past one and a half decades. This statement is being seen as a major political shift for the BJP in West Bengal, especially with the crucial 2026 Assembly elections approaching. Political circles in the state, long accustomed to intensely polarised politics spearheaded by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have taken note. Adhikari has, on multiple occasions, publicly stated, 'We don't want a single Muslim vote to win West Bengal." This raises the question: is Samik Bhattacharya moving away from the BJP's core ideology? The answer appears to be no. A closer reading of his speech reveals that Bhattacharya invoked Bengal's complex history, which includes several major riots both before and after independence. He referred to the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946 and the trauma endured by people in Murshidabad, Nadia, and Malda when, during the drawing of the Radcliffe Line, these districts were initially assigned to present-day Bangladesh. It was only after strong persuasion led by Bengal leaders, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee, that they became part of independent India. Bhattacharya also referenced recent incidents in Bangladesh, where Hindu minorities were attacked, women were raped, and properties burned — subtly reinforcing the idea of protecting minorities in a manner that aligns with the BJP's core ideological framework. However, political analysts observe that Bhattacharya seems to recognise the limitations of extreme polarisation. His tone suggests a tactical shift: instead of consolidating Muslim voters against the BJP, the party could reach out to those among them who are interested in development and socio-economic upliftment — a strategy that could benefit the BJP in 2026. This is why Bhattacharya emphasised Bengal's secular and pluralistic legacy, appealing to the Bengali educated middle class, who have historically believed in pluralism. He even said he envisions a Bengal where Durga Puja immersion rallies and Muharram processions are co-organised without conflict or communal tension, as has been the case for many years in the state. Interestingly, Bhattacharya did not use the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram." Instead, he invoked deities with whom Bengalis as a whole culturally identify — Maa Durga, Maa Kali, and Prabhu Jagannath. At the same time, Bhattacharya shifted the blame for the rise in polarised politics onto Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of dividing Bengalis for political gain. Analysts say he has effectively set the early narrative for the 2026 Assembly elections. What Is The Narrative? For the first time, a senior BJP leader in Bengal is speaking about 'Bengal's asmita" — Bengali pride. Bhattacharya began his address by referencing Bengal's glorious economic contribution before British rule, when undivided Bengal accounted for 40 per cent of India's GDP, a figure that has now dwindled to 8 per cent. Thus, the narrative he is attempting to build for 2026 focuses on industrialisation vs corruption, democracy vs autocracy, and peace vs violence. Political watchers note that until now, the BJP's narrative in Bengal largely focused on exposing the corruption of the Trinamool Congress, with little clarity on what the party offered as an alternative. Bhattacharya sought to address that gap today, stating that in 2026, the BJP aims to offer a governance model built on the principles of 'good governance," as demonstrated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in BJP-ruled states. Understanding that the BJP lacks a strong face to counter Mamata Banerjee, Bhattacharya also tackled this issue directly. He argued that Banerjee's once-iconic image as a symbol of honesty has collapsed under the weight of multiple corruption allegations, claiming the TMC can no longer portray her as an icon of integrity. In a strategic move, Bhattacharya reached out to other opposition parties — particularly the Left and the Congress — urging them not to indirectly support the TMC in the name of 'No Vote to BJP" campaigns. Instead, he called on them to fight independently to remove Mamata Banerjee from power in 2026, assuring them that once the TMC is defeated, there will be space for a healthy opposition — a departure from the governance styles of both the Left and TMC, which were often accused of stifling opposition voices. With this speech, Bhattacharya appears to be reaching across religious lines, aiming to appeal to the Bhadralok Bengali, who has historically viewed the BJP as 'untouchable" or culturally alien to Bengal. It is often said in Bengal politics that without the support of the Bengali Bhadralok, no political change is possible. This was true in 1977 during the Left's rise, and again in 2011 when Mamata Banerjee came to power. Bhattacharya, clearly aware of this history, is now trying to reach out to the educated middle class by shifting the narrative from Hindu vs. Muslim to governance vs. non-governance. That is why he made repeated references to Bengali literature, culture, and stalwarts like Syed Wajid Ali — symbols still deeply revered by Bengal's educated middle class. view comments First Published: News politics 'Replace Stones With Books': Samik Bhattacharya's Debut Speech Signals BJP's Tactical Shift In Bengal 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.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'TMC's Visarjan In 2026': Samik Bhattacharya Takes Charge As Bengal BJP President
With just eight months left until the crucial 2026 Assembly elections, Bhattacharya will lead BJP's campaign as its new captain in Bengal In a significant political development, veteran BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya has been unanimously elected as the State President of the BJP in West Bengal. With just eight months left until the crucial 2026 Assembly elections, Bhattacharya will lead the party's campaign as its new captain in Bengal. In an exclusive interview with News18, he said, 'TMC's ' visarjan' (immersion) will happen in 2026." 'The people of Bengal want 'Mukti" (liberation) from the current regime. This is not just an election — it's a fight for the soul of Bengal," Bhattacharya said, adding that change in government in the state will be his top priority. Q: What will be your first area of focus as State President? Samik Bhattacharya: Our top priority is to bring about a change in government. The people of Bengal want mukti (liberation) from the current regime. This is not just an election — it's a fight for the soul of Bengal. People across communities are ready to oust the TMC government. We started when BJP had no presence in Bengal. Today, there's a new generation, and we will blend their energy with the experience of the old guard. BJP has changed the national narrative, and now it's Bengal's turn. The state is stuck in a cycle of political hegemony. The public is ready; the demographic has shifted. This will not be a party-driven election — the people will form the narrative. The first step is removing TMC. Janata hi neta hai. Even the minority communities will support us. They must choose whether they want a future of books or of stones for their children. Mamata Banerjee has used them politically but failed to uplift them. I appeal to the minority community: what have you truly received under her rule? Nearly 90 per cent of political violence victims in the state have been from minority communities. We want more APJ Abdul Kalams and Kazi Nazrul Islams to emerge from Bengal. No one should be afraid of chanting 'Ram Naam'. Q: There are reports of internal rifts — old vs new leadership. How will you handle that? Samik Bhattacharya: I'm 60 — I can't compete with a 21-year-old. The old generation must trust the new. But the old guard is still vital. In this fight, all sections of the party will stand united. The new generation needs to understand the struggle we endured when BJP had no foothold in Bengal. This upcoming election is a battle for survival, and we'll face it together. Q: Will religion and polarisation play a major role in this election? Samik Bhattacharya: Since the 1980s, we've been warning about demographic invasion. The survival of the Bengali Hindu identity is at stake, and we'll fight to protect it. Bengal is also facing an industrial crisis — businesses have left, industries have collapsed. We will bring change. We will not let Bengal become another Bangladesh. In 1947, leaders like Jyoti Basu ensured Bengal remained part of India. That legacy is now under threat. People are aware of this, and they want a course correction. Q: Are you taking a more hardline Hindutva stance? Samik Bhattacharya: Bengal has always been a land of pluralism. Mamata Banerjee often quotes Sri Ramakrishna's saying ' Jato Mat Tato Path" (many faiths, many paths), but can such pluralism survive in Bengal today? We will uphold our ideology. Bengal is facing a brain drain — engineers here earn just Rs 16,000 while many move to Bengaluru, where Bengali is now one of the most spoken languages. Industrialists are fleeing the state. We must change this trajectory. Q: Are Hindus under threat in areas like Murshidabad? Samik Bhattacharya: Yes. Despite challenges, our BJP workers are active in Murshidabad. Everyone knows the situation there. Our flag still flies high because of their courage. Q: There's criticism that BJP has voters but can't mobilise them to booths. Your response? Samik Bhattacharya: That's a false narrative. In reality, voters are attacked with the help of the police and anti-social elements. That's the real barrier. Our task is to restore voter confidence. Q: Critics say BJP failed to stand by victims of post-poll violence. Is that true? Samik Bhattacharya: Not at all. For instance, in Dum Dum, a BJP worker was killed. We wanted to visit, but other workers warned us that it would lead to further attacks on their homes. It was a sensitive situation. Q: Mamata Banerjee is the face of TMC. Who is the BJP's face in Bengal? How do you see Suvendu Adhikari? Samik Bhattacharya: This election is about regime change, not about individuals. Suvendu Adhikari is a natural leader — he defeated Mamata Banerjee herself and remains constantly connected with the people. BJP doesn't revolve around one face — our ideology is our strength. We've never projected a CM face, and that tradition continues. Q: Are you confident of defeating TMC in the next assembly elections? Samik Bhattacharya: Will TMC even survive until 2026? I have serious doubts. We are not talking about invoking Article 356 or martyrdom — but yes, TMC's ' visarjan' (immersion) will happen in 2026. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments 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.
