Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 4: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday strongly criticised the Delhi Police for allegedly referring to Bengali as the "Bangladeshi national language" in a letter linked to an investigation under the Foreigners Act.

The letter, reportedly sent to the officer-in-charge of Banga Bhawan — the official guest house of the Bengal government in Delhi — sought a translator for the "Bangladeshi national language" following the arrest of eight individuals suspected of illegal entry into India.

Sharing the letter on social media, Mamata called the language used by the Delhi Police “insulting, anti-national and unconstitutional.” She accused the Centre of being anti-Bengali and urged citizens to protest against what she termed a deliberate attempt to humiliate Bengali-speaking Indians.

“See now how Delhi Police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as 'Bangladeshi' language!” Mamata posted. “This insults all Bengali-speaking people of India. The language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution is now described as Bangladeshi!”

She reminded that Bengali is not only her mother tongue but also the language of literary icons Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda. “It is the language in which both India’s national anthem Jana Gana Mana and national song Vande Mataram were written,” she said.

Calling the remark a “scandalous and degrading” act, Mamata said the statement reflects an “anti-people” mindset of the Union government and demanded immediate protest from all quarters.