Mamata Banerjee's 'Bhasha Andolan': A Stand Against Linguistic Erasure

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, spearheaded a movement dubbed 'Bhasha Andolan' from Bolpur, as a firm rebuttal to the BJP's alleged attempts to undermine Bengali identity via the NRC. Banerjee is calling for the protection of migrants and stressing the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage.

The protest, which echoes the historic 1952 Language Movement, was marked by a march led by Banerjee, holding a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore, and encompassed key party figures. Banerjee warned against the implementation of the NRC in Bengal and motivated her supporters to rise peacefully against any such backdoor attempts.

Highlighting Bengal's historical role in the freedom movement and cultural reforms, Banerjee rallied for unity in diversity. She criticized the central government for alleged voter roll manipulations and emphasized Bengali migrants' rights, urging a return to Bengal with promises of support and livelihood. Her rhetoric criticized Prime Minister Modi and underscored the widespread emotional backing for the movement.

(With inputs from agencies.)