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Key Points

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to PM Modi expressing concern over the alleged mistreatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Odisha and Maharashtra. He claims workers are being wrongfully targeted due to linguistic similarities with Bangladeshis. The letter urges Modi to intervene and protect their fundamental rights. This comes amid TMC's campaign on the same issue in West Bengal.

Key Points: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Urges Modi to Protect Bengali Migrant Workers

  • Chowdhury alleges harassment of Bengali workers in BJP-ruled states
  • Cites mistaken identity as Bangladeshi nationals
  • Urges Modi to ensure labor rights protection
  • Highlights economic contributions of migrant workers
2 min read

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury writes to PM Modi on harassment of migrant workers in Odisha and Maha

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury writes to PM Modi over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking workers in Odisha and Maharashtra.

"I would earnestly request you to intervene for protecting these poor and innocent people from the suffering they are being subjected to – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury"

Kolkata, July 20

Former state Congress president in West Bengal and former five-time Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Sunday, asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over harassment, humiliation, and physical torture being allegedly faced by Bengali-speaking migrant workers in two BJP-ruled states, Odisha and Maharashtra.

Chowdhury’s letter to the Prime Minister comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already started a full-fledged campaign against the BJP on the same issue.

In his letter, the former state Congress president referred to some purported incident of Bengali-speaking migrant workers being wrongfully targeted due to their linguistic identity after being mistaken for Bangladeshi nationals.

In his letter, Chowdhury also requested the Prime Minister to direct different Union ministries like Home Affairs, Labour & Employment to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights and dignity of these inter-state migrant labourers.

“Given the facts relating to targeted harassment, humiliation, and torture on the poor and innocent Bengali-speaking people working as labourers in Odisha, Maharashtra and other states are being subjected to, I would earnestly request you to intervene for protecting these poor and innocent people from the suffering they are being subjected to,” the letter from Chowdhury to the Prime Minister read.

He also pointed out that the contributions of the Bengali-speaking migrant workers from West Bengal who were working in other states were immense in regard to the revenues of those state governments.

He also said that such treatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers just because of the similarities in their physical appearances and accent of the language they speak to that of Bangladeshis was not acceptable.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Maharashtra, I'm appalled by these reports. We Marathis have always welcomed workers from all states. This must be isolated incidents being politicized. Let's not divide India along linguistic lines!
R
Rohit P
While the concern is valid, why is Chowdhury writing now when TMC has already made it political? This seems like Congress trying to stay relevant in Bengal politics. Workers' rights shouldn't be used as political football.
S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Kolkata, I've seen how hard these migrant workers toil. They send money home and contribute to local economies. India should protect its internal migrants better - they're citizens too!
K
Karthik V
The real issue is lack of proper ID proofs for migrant workers. Government should issue universal worker IDs that can't be faked. This would solve both security concerns and protect genuine workers. #DigitalIndia
M
Meera T
My brother works in Odisha's construction sector. He says local police sometimes harass Bengalis after work hours. This needs to stop! We're all Indians first. Modi ji please look into this 🙏

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