Is Speaking Bengali a Crime to Lose Citizenship?
Elyas Thumbe Slams Discriminatory Policies

Elyas Muhammad Thumbe, National General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India, expresses profound concern over reports from Gurugram, Haryana, where authorities have detained 74 Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal and Assam since July 19. These workers—primarily ragpickers and laborers living in slums—are being held without formal charges or transparent legal processes, under the pretext of verifying their citizenship. This raises serious questions about due process and human rights violations.

Testimonies from detainees reveal that, despite presenting valid identification documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN cards, and even passports, authorities dismissed them as “fake.” Families have submitted additional documentation to local police stations in West Bengal to prove their Indian citizenship, yet the detentions persist, causing widespread distress and uncertainty.
The SDPI condemns this systemic harassment, which appears to target Bengali-speaking Muslims solely based on their language and religious identity, fostering an environment of fear and discrimination.

The SDPI also strongly denounces the Assam government’s ongoing eviction drives, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which unjustly target Bengali-speaking Muslim communities under the guise of addressing illegal immigration. Sarma’s inflammatory claim that “Hindus will become a minority in Assam within 10 years” due to alleged illegal migration is baseless and divisive, clearly aimed at polarizing voters ahead of the 2026 elections. His assertion that “10 lakh acres” are encroached upon by “illegal Bangladeshis” lacks credible evidence and fuels communal hatred, further eroding Assam’s social fabric.

The violent eviction drive in Assam—during which 8,000 houses belonging to Bengali-origin Muslim families were demolished—exemplifies this brutality. The death of 19-year-old Sakuar Ali during these evictions reflects a blatant disregard for Gauhati High Court mandates regarding humane treatment.

The regional repercussions are alarming. States like Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya have issued alerts to block displaced individuals labeled as “illegal immigrants,” risking heightened ethnic tensions. Over 50,000 people have been displaced since 2021, with no rehabilitation plans in place, leaving families in dire straits.

The SDPI demands an immediate halt to these evictions and detentions, a judicial inquiry into the violence and procedural violations, and comprehensive rehabilitation for affected families. We urge Northeast states to reject divisive policies and engage in inclusive dialogue on migration issues. The central government must intervene to safeguard minority rights and ensure compliance with constitutional and human rights standards.

The SDPI stands in solidarity with the displaced and detained, and reaffirms its commitment to advocating for their dignity and justice in the face of this orchestrated campaign of exclusion.