Chief Minister Banerjee challenged the BJP’s narrative, stating, “They are calling anyone who speaks Bengali a Rohingya. Where did these Rohingyas come from? They are people from Myanmar. How can they know Bengali?” She highlighted the absurdity of the claim, emphasizing the distinct origins and linguistic differences of the Rohingya community.
Nationwide Protest Against Bengali Harassment Looms
The Chief Minister’s condemnation extends to alleged harassment of Bengalis in various BJP-ruled states and the Assam government’s directive to identify Bengali speakers as foreigners. Mamata Banerjee has already taken to the streets to protest these issues, with a major nationwide agitation program scheduled to be announced on July 21st.
Debunking “17 Lakh Rohingya” Claims
Responding to BJP’s assertions that “Rohingyas are present in Bengal,” made in an attempt to counter her protest marches, the Chief Minister dismissed the claims as ill-informed. Speaking at an event in New Town on Thursday, she stated, “The number of Bengali-speaking people ranks second in Asia and fifth globally. We will not tolerate such insults to our language.”
She further challenged the BJP’s figures, saying, “They claim there are 17 lakh Rohingyas. They know nothing. Where are these Rohingyas? Provide their names and addresses, then make your accusations.”
The Reality of Rohingya Presence in India
Banerjee used factual data to counter the BJP’s narrative, citing that approximately 2.8 million Rohingyas were displaced from Myanmar’s Rakhine state and sought refuge in Bangladesh seven to eight years ago. Their camps are primarily located in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. She emphasized that their language and appearance are distinctly different from Bengalis.
According to a United Nations report, the number of Rohingya infiltrators in India is estimated to be around 2,000, with a significant portion housed in camps in Jammu & Kashmir. Their physical appearance and language are not Bengali, making it highly improbable for them to speak Bengali or disguise themselves as Bengalis. The Chief Minister leveraged these facts to lambaste the BJP, specifically criticizing the unnamed Leader of Opposition.
“Who Are You to Cut Names?” Mamata Defends Bengali Voters
The Chief Minister also accused the central government of aiding the expulsion of Bengalis through discriminatory notifications. “Those who came as refugees from Bangladesh after 1971 are now Indian citizens,” she asserted. “They say they will cut 17 lakh names. Who are you, Hridoypal! Those who have voted, they are all Indian citizens. There is no need to look at caste or religion. They are Indians. Just because someone speaks Bengali doesn’t mean they are Bangladeshi.”
Foreign Affairs and Humanity First
Mamata Banerjee also subtly alluded to the current political shifts in Bangladesh, mentioning that several Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, have sought refuge in Kolkata. Without naming individuals or parties, she stated, “Currently, many have come here for political reasons. There are foreign affairs involved. Have we said anything about that?”
She unequivocally declared that she would not allow the names of Bengal’s residents to be removed from electoral rolls. “Why will you cut the names of those who reside in Bengal and are citizens of Bengal? You don’t need to check their caste, creed, religion, or state. They are very much voters of Bengal.”
“Humanity is the Greatest Religion”
Emphasizing the importance of humanity, the Chief Minister stated, “I do not differentiate between people. The greatest identity of a person is not their surname, not their religion, but their humanity. They are humane beings. I don’t even write my surname on files because I believe my surname is my humanity.”
Mamata Banerjee concluded by urging that “humane beings should not become demonic.”
She acknowledged that every person has a religion, a surname, and a caste, and she respects all languages. However, she condemned the recent notification that suggests deporting people just for speaking Bengali.
Targeting the ruling BJP at the center, she asserted, “To engage in politics, you first need to set your mind right. Political people run the government. If they are not politically sound, they can never run a good government. To run a government, your mind cannot be a desert.”
She also criticized the practice of detaining Bengali-speaking individuals in other states, labeling them as Bangladeshis. “Those who are taken are skilled laborers. Work wouldn’t happen without them, that’s why they are taken. It’s not out of kindness.”
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