August 30, 2025

In a powerful move this Friday, the Supreme Court of India cracked the whip on the central government, demanding a thick, detailed affidavit within just one week. This stern call comes amidst a fiery Public Interest Litigation from the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board. The board sounded alarm bells over Bengali-speaking migrant workers being locked up in various states, caught in a messy suspicion that they might be Bangladeshi nationals. The apex court didn't stop there. It ordered the Calcutta High Court to jump into action and urgently hear sensitive cases like that of Sunali Khatun and others. The matter of their citizenship, hanging like a dark cloud, must be settled without delay. In a stirring post on X, West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board chairman Samirul Islam expressed shock and despair. He asked, “Is our country making a USA-like wall?” drawing attention to the harsh treatment facing these workers. He added, “This is what the Honourable Supreme Court of India asked the Union government while hearing the case concerning the illegal push back/detention of migrant workers’ issue involving persons like Sunali Khatun and others.” Samirul highlighted the pain of these people, “They were persecuted only because their mother tongue is Bengali and they belong to our state.” The drama caught the eye of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who warmly welcomed the Supreme Court's firm directives and observations. She said the order has “instilled hope among countless vulnerable labourers stranded across the country.” This issue shines a bright spotlight on a troubled chapter where language and origin are turning into dangerous labels. The Supreme Court's swift action could be the beginning of relief and justice for many Bengali migrant workers caught in this maze of suspicion and detention.

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Tags: Supreme court, Bengali migrant workers, West bengal migrant welfare board, Citizenship cases, Illegal detention, Sunali khatun,