Mamata launches ‘language movement’, condemns targeting of migrant’s family in Delhi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the targeting of a migrant’s family in Delhi on the day her party launched a “language movement” to protest against the targeting of migrants from the State in BJP-ruled States.

“Atrocious!! Terrible!! See how Delhi police brutally beat up a kid and his mother, members of a migrant family from Malda’s Chanchal. See how even a child is not spared from the cruelty of violence in the regime of linguistic terror unleashed by BJP in the country against Bengalis! ,” the Chief Minister said on social media. Ms. Banerjee wanted to know, ”where are they [BJP led government] taking the country now?”

On Sunday (July 27, 2025), protest marches were organised across the State in line with plans announced by the Trinamool Congress chairperson. Ms. Banerjee had on July 21, at a Martyrs Day rally, announced the start of a “language movement” against the targeting of migrants in the BJP-ruled States. The Chief Minister had called for protests every weekend till the next year’s Assembly polls.

Language movement

From the streets of Kolkata to districts across the State, hundreds of people participated in the protests which the Trinamool has described as a “language movement.” Some protesters also held posters highlighting the Bengali alphabet implying that BJP-ruled States are targeting migrants for speaking in Bengali.

Migrants from West Bengal have been detained in different States like Odisha, Haryana and Delhi on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. Some migrants from West Bengal have also been pushed into Bangladesh. The Trinamool Congress chairperson has claimed that there is a directive issued by Ministry of Home Affairs to detain migrants and so far about 1,000 workers from the State has been detained in BJP ruled states.

Along with the protests against migrants the Trinamool Congress has also raised concerns about the possibility of a SIR (Special Incentive Revision).

“The protest against SIR isn’t just a reaction, it’s a rejection of @BJP4India’s plan to introduce the NRC through the backdoor! BJP is targeting poor, marginalised citizens with illegal notices, beyond their jurisdiction. It’s a calculated attack on Bengal’s identity, a violation of constitutional rights, and a war on the powerless,” the Trinamool Congress tweeted from its official handle, adding, “We will defend every voice they’re trying to erase!”