Kolkata, 10 July (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court has taken serious note of the alleged mistreatment of Bengali migrant workers in several other Indian states and has directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, to initiate immediate action. The court has asked the Chief Secretary to appoint a senior-level official — not below the rank of a secretary — to coordinate directly with the Odisha government and ensure the safety and welfare of affected workers.

The division bench, led by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, made it clear that no further delay will be tolerated in addressing this matter. The next hearing has been scheduled for the coming Monday.

In recent months, there have been multiple reports of violence and exploitation of migrant workers from Bengal in other states, particularly in Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan — all governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Allegations include physical assaults, confiscation of identity documents, and denial of wages. Victims have also accused local police in these states of inaction.

The court’s intervention has intensified political discourse around the issue. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously voiced her concern, issuing a stern statement regarding the safety of Bengali workers in BJP-ruled states. “We have around 1.5 crore migrant workers from various states and religions working in Bengal. We do not attack them. But if our people continue to face violence in your states, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences,” she warned.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also escalated its efforts. Rajya Sabha MPs Samirul Islam and Yusuf Pathan have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, raising concerns about the repeated attacks and seeking central intervention. Samirul Islam has personally met with affected workers and facilitated their safe return to West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh