Mamata slams BJP for 'targeted persecution' of Bengalis in Delhi's Jai Hind colony

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that it was targeting Bengali migrant workers in Delhi’s Jai Hind Colony and spreading its anti-Bengali agenda beyond the state's borders.

In a strongly worded Facebook post, Banerjee said she was "deeply disturbed" by reports of harassment and forced eviction of Bengali residents in Vasant Kunj locality of the national capital, alleging the BJP-led administration had denied them basic utilities like water and electricity in an attempt to displace them.

"I am deeply disturbed by the alarming news of harassment emerging from Jai Hind Colony in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, a settlement predominantly inhabited by Bengalis who built the city as part of its unorganised workforce," the TMC supremo said.

I am deeply disturbed by the alarming news of harassment emerging from Jai Hind Colony in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi — a settlement predominantly inhabited by Bengalis who build the city as part of its unorganised workforce.

Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 10, 2025

"Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the BJP-led government. Electricity meters were confiscated and power was abruptly cut the day before yesterday. Residents also claim Delhi Police, backed by RAF personnel, blocked private water tankers they had arranged and paid for. A forced eviction is currently underway despite the matter being sub-judice following another transgression last December by Delhi Police. How can we claim to be a democratic republic if the basic rights to shelter, water, electricity are being trampled upon?" she added.

The chief minister warned that such actions amounted to criminalising the identity and language of Bengali-speaking Indians, and accused the BJP of treating them as "infiltrators in their own country."

"There are over 1.5 crore migrant workers in Bengal who live with dignity. But the same cannot be said for BJP-ruled states, where Bengalis are being treated as infiltrators in their own country. Speaking Bengali does not make one a Bangladeshi. These individuals are as much citizens of India as anyone else, regardless of what language they speak," Banerjee said.

In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, she alleged that the BJP, after having "failed" to politically dominate West Bengal, was now "strategically targeting" Bengalis across BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.

"Having failed in their attempts to deprive Bengalis in West Bengal, BJP is now exporting their Bangla-Birodhi agenda to other parts of the country in a strategic and systemic manner. Disturbing reports have emerged from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, where Bengali-speaking individuals are facing targeted persecution. And now, this pattern of hostility has reached even the national capital," she wrote.

Declaring that Bengal "will not remain silent," Banerjee vowed to take up the matter in every possible forum.

"We will not remain silent while people from Bengal are treated like trespassers in their own country. Bengal stands in solidarity with every oppressed voice. We will raise this issue in every possible forum," she said.

The development comes a day after a political slugfest erupted on Wednesday as West Bengal's ruling TMC accused the BJP-led Odisha government of illegally detaining Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Jharsuguda district despite having valid documents, a charge promptly dismissed by Odisha Police citing lack of "verifiable papers."

The ruling party of West Bengal demanded their immediate release and warned of a larger political movement if such "targeted harassment" continues.

A senior Odisha Police officer, however, said the detained people lack valid documents to establish their residency or citizenship.