Is Harassment of Bengalis a Growing Concern? Trinamool Plans Protest in BJP's North Bengal Stronghold
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Synopsis
As protests against the alleged harassment of Bengalis intensify, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shifts focus to North Bengal, a BJP stronghold. With rallies set for Siliguri, the political landscape is heating up in the run-up to the 2026 elections. Will this strategy pay off for the Trinamool Congress?
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee is organizing a series of protest rallies to address alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people.
- The next rally is expected in Siliguri, a key town in North Bengal.
- Previous rallies have taken place in historically significant locations like Bolpur and Jhargram.
- The BJP has maintained a strong electoral presence in North Bengal.
- The protests are positioned as a response to cultural and linguistic issues.
Kolkata, Aug 1 (NationPress) West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is now shifting her attention to North Bengal, a region that has solidified as a stronghold for the BJP since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in preparation for her party's third protest rally. The rallies, spearheaded by the Chief Minister, aim to address the issue of the alleged mistreatment of Bengali-speaking individuals in states governed by the BJP across the nation.
The upcoming rally is expected to take place in Siliguri, a key town located in the Darjeeling district of North Bengal, tentatively scheduled between August 17 and August 21.
Previously, a similar rally, the first in this series organized by the Trinamool Congress against the harassment of Bengalis, was held at Bolpur-Santiniketan in the Birbhum district. The next rally is set for Jhargram town in the tribal-dominated Jhargram district.
“Both Bolpur and Jhargram are situated in South Bengal, hence it is the Chief Minister's intention to hold the third protest rally in a town within North Bengal,” confirmed a senior cabinet member who requested anonymity.
Political analysts suggest that the choice of Bolpur and Jhargram, both significant for their historical and cultural ties to Bengali heritage, contrasts with the political strategy behind selecting a location in North Bengal.
“Bolpur was selected for its deep connection to Rabindranath Tagore and the Visva Bharati University, while Jhargram was chosen due to its historical relevance linked to the Santhal uprising against British colonial rule in the 1920s. However, the primary motive for choosing Siliguri or other towns in North Bengal is to directly challenge the BJP in its organizational bastion,” noted a city-based political commentator.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP claimed victories in six out of seven constituencies in North Bengal. Furthermore, during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, while the Trinamool Congress triumphed in most of North Bengal, the BJP managed to win a significant number of the 54 Assembly seats in the region.
Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari recently expressed confidence that the BJP would secure at least 40 of the 54 Assembly constituencies in North Bengal in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
CM Mamata Banerjee has characterized her party's series of protests regarding the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled regions as a modern 'Bhasha Andolon (Language Movement)'.
However, she has faced backlash for invoking the term, as the original 'Bhasha Andolan' was a political movement in what was once East Pakistan, advocating for the recognition of Bengali as an official language, which ultimately contributed to the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent nation after its liberation from Pakistan in 1971.
Point of View
It is crucial to maintain an unbiased perspective on the evolving political dynamics in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress's focus on the alleged harassment of Bengalis reflects broader socio-political issues. The upcoming rallies could reshape electoral strategies in North Bengal, which has historically been a stronghold for the BJP. An objective analysis of these developments is essential as the political landscape continues to shift.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the protest rallies organized by Mamata Banerjee?
The rallies aim to address the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states across India.
Where will the next rally take place?
The next rally is tentatively scheduled to be held in Siliguri, North Bengal, between August 17 and August 21.
What was the significance of the locations chosen for the previous rallies?
Both Bolpur and Jhargram were selected for their historical and cultural ties to Bengali heritage and their significance in the Bengali language movement.
How did the BJP perform in previous elections in North Bengal?
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won six out of seven constituencies in North Bengal and maintained a strong presence in the region during the 2021 Assembly elections.
What does Mamata Banerjee mean by 'Bhasha Andolon'?
Mamata Banerjee refers to her protests as a modern 'Bhasha Andolon' to highlight the cultural and linguistic issues faced by Bengali speakers in BJP-ruled areas.
