Mamata Banerjee's 'Bhasha Andolan': A Rally for Bengali Identity

In a significant escalation of her rhetoric against the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday initiated the 'Bhasha Andolan' or Language Movement. She accused the Centre and the Election Commission of colluding to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 'through the backdoor' and imposing 'linguistic terror' on Bengali-speaking migrants.

Speaking from Bolpur, Banerjee pledged to protect Bengali asmita, warning against attempts to disenfranchise the poor and migrant populations under the guise of electoral revisions. She labeled the BJP-led Centre's actions as targeting minorities, OBCs, and Bengali voters, in a covert NRC-like exercise, urging resistance against this alleged erasure of identity.

Leading a rally filled with cultural symbolism, Banerjee, accompanied by senior party leaders and cheering supporters, emphasized the importance of linguistic and cultural unity. She called for the advancement of the movement across Bengal's districts, committing to protect Bengali migrants and challenging divisive forces politically and peacefully.

(With inputs from agencies.)