Will Mamata Lead a Rally Against the Alleged Harassment of Bengali-Speaking Migrant Workers?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Trinamool Congress is organizing a rally on July 16 in Kolkata.
- The protest addresses the treatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead the rally.
- Political analysts see this as a response to criticism faced by the party.
- The rally is strategically timed just before the annual Martyrs’ Day event.
Kolkata, July 14 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress is set to lead a significant protest rally in Kolkata on July 16 in response to the purported harassment faced by Bengali-speaking migrant workers in states beyond West Bengal, particularly in areas governed by the BJP. This demonstration will be spearheaded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
As stated by the West Bengal minister of state for finance (independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya, the rally will commence at 2 p.m. at College Square in Central Kolkata, drawing party supporters from Kolkata and nearby districts such as Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas.
“This rally will be under the direct leadership of the Chief Minister. In addition to the one in Kolkata, similar protests will be arranged in other districts as well,” Bhattacharya highlighted.
“We cannot remain passive while Bengali-speaking migrant workers are maltreated in other states, labeled as illegal Bangladeshis merely for speaking Bengali. We will be taking to the streets under Mamata Banerjee's guidance,” she asserted.
Political analysts observe that as the Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal government face challenges regarding various issues, including school job corruption, sexual assaults in educational institutions, and communal violence, the party is striving to forge a counter-narrative against the BJP, branding them as 'anti-Bengali'.
“It’s noteworthy that this protest is scheduled just five days ahead of the Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs’ Day rally on July 21. Typically, the party refrains from organizing major events right before the Martyrs’ Day rally. However, this exception indicates the party’s urgency to counter the BJP narrative on this 'anti-Bengali' issue,” remarked a local political analyst.
A senior leader from the Trinamool Congress revealed that the West Bengal government had previously sent numerous letters to both the Union government and the offending states regarding the harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers.
“However, since those attempts yielded no results, we are compelled to take to the streets on this pressing issue,” he stated.