Is There a New Clash Between Mamata and Himanta Over Bangla Speakers and Border Issues?

Kolkata, July 19 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP-led Assam government of targeting Bengali-speaking residents, labeling the alleged actions against this linguistic group as discriminatory and unconstitutional.

In a statement shared via her official X account, Mamata expressed, “The second most prevalent language in our country, Bangla, is also widely spoken in Assam. To intimidate individuals who wish to coexist peacefully, respecting all languages and religions, for cherishing their mother tongue is discriminatory and unconstitutional.”

She emphasized that the BJP’s divisive agenda in Assam has “exceeded all bounds,” and she believes the residents of Assam will stand against such actions.

“This divisive agenda of the BJP in Assam has crossed all limits, and the people will fight back. I support every courageous citizen striving for the dignity of their language, identity, and democratic rights,” added Mamata.

In a pointed response, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed Mamata’s claims, asserting that the state’s measures are not directed at its own citizens but against rampant illegal infiltration from neighboring borders.

“In Assam, we do not combat our own people. We are bravely opposing the ongoing, unchecked Muslim infiltration from across the border, which has already led to a concerning demographic shift. In numerous districts, Hindus are on the verge of becoming a minority in their own land,” Sarma countered Mamata on X.

Referencing a Supreme Court observation that categorized such infiltration as “external aggression,” Sarma stated, “While we are decisively acting to safeguard Assam’s identity, you, Didi, have compromised Bengal’s future by facilitating illegal encroachment, appeasing a specific religious community for political gain, and staying silent as border infiltration undermines national integrity—all merely to cling to power.”

He affirmed that Assam will persist in its fight to preserve its heritage, dignity, and populace—armed with courage and constitutional clarity.

This exchange on X followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks during a rally in Durgapur, West Bengal, where he accused the Trinamool Congress government of making life miserable for “original Bengalis” by allegedly fostering illegal infiltration from Bangladesh.

“Illegal infiltrators are being issued fake Indian identity documents. A whole ecosystem has been established in West Bengal to facilitate this infiltration. These infiltrators pose a threat to national security and Bengali culture,” the Prime Minister claimed, accusing the state government of jeopardizing the state’s honor for narrow political objectives.