Possible construction of metro projects in Kolkata may be attended by Prime Minister Modi, but it remains uncertain if West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee will be present.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to skip the inauguration of three Kolkata metro projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 22, as a protest against the alleged harassment and linguistic discrimination of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states.
The metro projects being inaugurated were largely planned and funded during Banerjee's tenure as the Railway Minister, adding symbolic weight to her decision. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), her party, has accused BJP-ruled states such as Assam, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat of detaining, profiling, and harassing Bengali-speaking migrants, branding them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
This issue has been turned into a political and cultural identity plank by the TMC to defend Bengali pride ("Bengali asmita") and oppose the BJP's alleged "terrorism on the Bengali language." The BJP's Bengal unit, meanwhile, has criticised Banerjee's stance, accusing her of non-cooperation and politicising the metro project inauguration.
Banerjee's decision to skip the inauguration ceremony signals discontent with centre-state relations, particularly over funding and respect for West Bengal. The alleged harassment of Bengali migrants is not a new issue, with charges of linguistic discrimination and the harassment of Bengalis in several states, with the alleged support of the BJP and the central government.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw invited Banerjee to the inauguration of three metro projects in a letter dated August 14. However, Banerjee had previously attended central government events to respect constitutional protocol. The BJP is inaugurating these metro projects before the elections to claim credit, according to an official claim.
During these events, BJP supporters are alleged to have created chaos and acted disrespectfully, turning official functions into political platforms, according to the official. Given the disrespectful conduct of BJP supporters, no option will be given for such behavior during the metro projects inauguration, according to the official.
In summary, Banerjee’s absence is a political protest over alleged harassment and linguistic discrimination against Bengalis in BJP-ruled states. It signals discontent with centre-state relations, particularly over funding and respect for West Bengal. The metro projects were initiated during her own previous tenure, intensifying the symbolic nature of her decision. The TMC is using the issue of migrant harassment as a Bengali identity cause against the BJP.
- Banerjee's decision to skip the metro project inauguration by Prime Minister Modi is a political protest against the alleged harassment and linguistic discrimination of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states.
- The TMC, led by Banerjee, has accused BJP-ruled states of detaining, profiling, and harassing Bengali-speaking migrants, which has driven the party to use the issue of migrant harassment as a Bengali identity cause against the BJP.
- The metro projects being inaugurated were largely planned and funded during Banerjee's tenure as the Railway Minister, adding symbolic weight to her decision to skip the event.
- The BJP's Bengal unit has criticised Banerjee's stance, accusing her of non-cooperation and politicising the metro project inauguration, but the TMC maintains that the issue is deeply rooted in politics and cultural identity.
- The alleged harassment of Bengali migrants is not a new issue, extending beyond West Bengal and involving multiple states, with charges of linguistic discrimination and the support of the BJP and the central government.
