August 4, 2025

In the midst of a rising political controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya has publicly called for action against West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. This call comes following a contentious situation triggering debates over the Delhi Police's recent communication. Allegedly, the Delhi Police referred to Bengali as a 'Bangladeshi language,' which prompted Banerjee to accuse them of making scandalous and anti-national statements. Malviya contends that Banerjee's reaction to this communication is both 'misplaced and dangerously inflammatory,' stating that the Delhi Police's letter does not label Bangla or Bengali explicitly as a 'Bangladeshi' language. He argues that her claims are irresponsible and escalate tensions unnecessarily. The BJP leader suggested that Banerjee's stance might warrant accountability under the National Security Act (NSA) due to what he perceives as her incitement of linguistic conflict. In his statements on social media platform X, Malviya expressed, 'Mamata Banerjee’s reaction ... is deeply irresponsible. ... to call upon Bengalis to rise against the Centre is deeply irresponsible. She should be held accountable--perhaps even under the National Security Act.' He further emphasized that the police had legitimately referred to the variants of Bengali as expression of linguistic differences, focusing on dialects, syntax, and speech patterns that set them apart from Bangla spoken in India. Malviya outlined significant distinctions, stating, 'The official language of Bangladesh is not only phonologically different, but also includes dialects like Sylheti...almost incomprehensible to Indian Bengalis.' He emphasized that the term 'Bangladeshi language' does not represent an existing language but rather serves as a shorthand descriptor for linguistic markers useful for profiling potential illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, further complicating public perception of the situation. Banerjee's accusations against the Delhi Police included denouncing the characterisation of Bengali as a 'Bangladeshi language.' She passionately defended the integrity and cultural significance of Bengali, referencing literary icons like Rabindranath Tagore and asserting that it is a language recognized by the Constitution of India. Her post on X stated, 'Bengali, our mother tongue ... the language in which crores of Indians speak and write ... is now described as a Bangladeshi language!!' The narrative escalated as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammed Salim, joined the fray, criticizing the Delhi Police for their alleged lack of knowledge. He questioned the legitimacy of the term 'Bangladeshi language' and challenged the police to clarify their use of terminology, underscoring the importance of understanding the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, which recognizes several languages including Bengali. The controversy has ignited a fierce dialogue surrounding language identity and national belonging, with various political factions taking sides in the debate. The BJP's stance highlights a broader narrative about the cultural and political implications of language that resonate deeply in India's diverse socio-political landscape. As this situation continues to unfold, the reactions from key political figures will likely shape the discourse around linguistic identity and national integrity. Whether the call for action against Banerjee gains momentum or remains a political challenge will depend on the evolving sentiments among the electorate and political parties alike.

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Tags: Bjp, Mamata banerjee, Delhi police, National security act, Linguistic conflict,