Trinamool MP Denies Haryana CM’s Claim Against Bengal CM on Migrant Workers

Rapid Summary

• Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of compromising national security for vote bank politics, specifically relating to sympathy towards alleged Bangladeshi immigrants.
• Trinamool Congress MP and chairperson of West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board, Samirul Islam, refuted the allegations, calling it a witch-hunt against Bengali-speaking migrant workers under the guise of targeting Bangladeshis.
• Islam claimed BJP-led states unlawfully detain Bengali-speaking Indian citizens working in their regions. He demanded clarity on why these citizens face harassment if internal state migration is lawful.
• mr. Islam raised cultural points, highlighting Rabindranath Tagore as a bengali who represented national pride and questioned the conflation of Bangladeshi identity with Bengalis in india.
• The issue continues amidst broader exchanges between Mamata Banerjee and other leaders like Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding migrant workers’ treatment in BJP-governed states.
• Islam pointed out that despite repeated queries, data on migrant numbers from West Bengal working across India has not been provided by the Union government.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The reciprocal accusations underscore tension over migration within India’s federal framework. Haryana’s position suggests concerns about illegal immigration tied to border state challenges like West Bengal’s proximity to Bangladesh. However, Samirul Islam’s defense touches upon civic rights under India’s constitution – notably freedom of movement for Indian nationals between states.

The discourse risks oversimplifying complex issues such as economic migration vs illegal immigration while fostering division along linguistic and regional lines. Ensuring lawful processes without discrimination remains essential for protecting human rights alongside maintaining national security.

For effective governance, both regional and central authorities could benefit from obvious data collection on interstate migrants; this would better inform policies while avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that targets specific communities unfairly.

Read more: Published – July 26, 2025 10:32 pm IST