Kolkata: From annual Martyr’s Day programme, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Supremo Mamata Banerjee stated that from July 27 her party will start ‘Bhash Andolan’ (Language Movement) across the state against alleged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s harassment on Bengalis.
“Why is the BJP against the language Bengali? Whenever they hear anyone speaking in Bengali they are terming them as Bangladeshis and are sending them to detention camps. From July 27 every Saturday and Sunday there will be statewide protests against the harassment of Bengalis. This movement will continue till Assembly elections next year. We respect every language and will not tolerate any attack on the Bengali language,” said Mamata.
Notably, ‘Bhasha Andolan’ a political movement was done earlier to give recognition to the Bengali language which led to creation of Bangladesh that was erstwhile East Pakistan.
The West Bengal Chief Minister also urged everyone to speak more in Bengali language.
“BJP by any means cannot stop this movement by any force. Bengali language is the second most spoken language in Asia and fifth most in the world. How can BJP restrict even the consumption of certain foods? I am ready to die but cannot tolerate disrespect towards Bengali language,” further mentioned Mamata.
Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Ashol Parivartan’ in Bengal’s government, Mamata calls for a change in central government.
“After 2026 Bengal Assembly election, we will focus on changing the central government. Change already took place in Bengal and no more changes will happen. BJP is claiming that they will develop Bengal after another change. What did they develop in the last 11 years? They have stopped our funds and despite odds we are working for the people,” added Mamata.
Apart from the language issue, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also countered BJP’s ‘Hindutva’ agenda.
After a shift in the saffron camp from ‘Jai Shri Ram’ to ‘Jai Ma Kali’ and ‘Jai Ma Durga’, Mamata from the Martyr’s Day rally also announced a permanent ‘Durga Angan’ in the state where people can visit and experience the puja throughout the year.
“Why is it that BJP remembers Ma Kali and Ma Durga only during the elections? Ma Durga is our Goddess and Durga Puja has even received international recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage from UNESCO. After Jagannath Dham we will build a ‘Durga Angan’,” further claimed the TMC Supremo.
The West Bengal Chief Minister also warned of greater protests if any voter’s name is dropped from the voter lists just like in Bihar.
“We will conduct gheraos if any voter’s name is dropped from the list. BJP has their own people in the Election Commission. How is Rohingya coming? The borders are in the hands of the central government,” added Mamata.
However, political Observers are of mind that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections will revolve around mostly three major issues like ‘Bengali Asmita’, the alleged inclusion of fake voters and religious polarisation for which after Jagannath temple ‘Durga Angan’ will be built and on the other side to connect with the Bengali sentiments the saffron camp started chanting ‘Jai Ma Kali’ and ‘Jai Ma Durga’ instead of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari who led a rally in North Bengal’s Siliguri said, “BJP will have to oust TMC for better governance.”
