Kolkata, December 27, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attacks on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing them as acts of “brutal oppression and persecution.” Speaking out on social media, Banerjee expressed solidarity with the affected families and assured that the West Bengal government would extend all possible support to those impacted by such incidents.

The condemnation came in the wake of a tragic incident in Sambalpur, Odisha, on December 24, where a young migrant worker from Murshidabad district in West Bengal, Juyel Rana, was beaten to death. According to reports, Rana and two other migrant workers were allegedly attacked over a dispute related to a beedi. While two of the workers managed to escape, Rana succumbed to injuries after being severely beaten, allegedly because he spoke in Bengali, raising suspicions among the attackers about his nationality.

Banerjee termed the attack as “extremely unfortunate” and highlighted that such incidents were causing widespread fear among migrant workers from West Bengal. “Migrant workers in Murshidabad are returning home terrified from Odisha. In this heartbreaking incident, we stand with the families, and our financial assistance to the family of the deceased will also reach them,” she said in her post on X.

The Chief Minister reiterated that speaking the Bengali language cannot be a crime and underlined that the West Bengal government stands by Bengali-speaking families who face harassment or violence in other states. “In all these incidents in BJP-ruled states, our condemnation of the perpetrators and our promise of all kinds of help for the oppressed remain unwavering,” she added.

West Bengal Police Steps In

Following the incident, the West Bengal police immediately intervened, coordinating with authorities in Odisha to ensure the proper handling of the situation. A case was lodged at Suti police station in Murshidabad, and a West Bengal police team has been sent to Sambalpur to assist with the investigation. The police confirmed that necessary arrangements were made to bring the body of Juyel Rana to his native place and that the family was being provided all possible support.

A West Bengal police spokesperson stated, “West Bengal Police stands by the family in this hour of grief. We shall leave no stone unturned to press for the severest possible punishment for the guilty.”

The state government also confirmed that financial assistance would be extended to the deceased’s family to help them cope with the loss and manage immediate needs.

Context of Migrant Harassment

This incident is part of a broader pattern of concern regarding the treatment of Bengali-speaking migrants in several BJP-ruled states. Over the past few years, reports have emerged of harassment, discrimination, and violent incidents targeting people from West Bengal, particularly those speaking Bengali. While authorities in the affected states have often described individual cases as isolated, leaders in West Bengal have consistently highlighted these as part of a larger trend that endangers the safety and well-being of migrant communities.

Mamata Banerjee’s comments also stressed the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens, regardless of where they reside within the country. She assured that West Bengal would continue to provide support, financial aid, and legal assistance to families affected by such incidents.

Political and Public Reactions

Banerjee’s remarks have come amid heightened political sensitivity as the nation approaches state assembly elections and ongoing migration-related tensions. She accused BJP-ruled states of failing to ensure the safety of migrant workers and asserted that the attacks reflect a systemic problem of targeting communities based on language and regional identity.

So far, neither the BJP leadership nor the Odisha government has issued a formal response to the incident. However, officials from West Bengal are closely monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities in Sambalpur to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly.

Assurance of Justice

The West Bengal administration has emphasized that it will closely track the investigation in Odisha, provide all necessary support to the victim’s family, and ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. Authorities have also appealed to the public to remain calm and assured migrant workers that the state government is committed to safeguarding their rights, dignity, and security.

In her statement, Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities, saying that West Bengal will stand by any citizen facing harassment due to language, ethnicity, or regional origin. She highlighted the role of the administration in ensuring social cohesion and justice, and emphasized that no individual should live in fear for speaking their mother tongue.

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