Fri Jul 04 15:25:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Chief Secretary of West Bengal has written to his counterpart in Odisha, expressing concern over the alleged harassment and arbitrary detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Odisha. Despite providing valid identity documents, these workers are reportedly being detained and treated unfairly. The West Bengal government is urging Odisha to take immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of these Indian citizens, emphasizing that they have contributed to Odisha’s economy for a long time. Concerns have also been raised by a Trinamool Congress MP, who alleges illegal detentions and accuses Odisha of fueling “politics of hatred.” This comes after repeated allegations from the West Bengal Chief Minister that Bengali speakers are being unfairly targeted and branded as Bangladeshis in certain BJP-ruled states.
**News Article:**
**West Bengal Urges Odisha to Stop Alleged Harassment of Bengali Migrant Workers**
**Kolkata, July 4, 2025** – The West Bengal government has formally requested intervention from Odisha to address alleged harassment and unjust detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in the state. West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant sent a letter to his Odisha counterpart, Manoj Ahuja, demanding immediate action to ensure the safety and dignity of these workers, many of whom have lived and worked in Odisha for extended periods.
The letter detailed reports of Bengali speakers being detained without due legal process in several coastal districts, including Paradip, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack. Pant emphasized that despite providing valid Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter IDs, the claims of these individuals are being dismissed.
“We are receiving disturbing reports of such individuals being detained,” Pant wrote, urging Odisha to take “a humanitarian view” and prevent arbitrary detention based on linguistic or regional identity.
The issue has also drawn political attention. Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam echoed the concerns, stating that the Odisha police are refusing to release the migrant workers, even after they have presented the required documentation. He accused the Odisha government of “igniting the politics of hatred.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously raised concerns about Bengali speakers being unfairly targeted and labeled as “Bangladeshis” in some states. The issue highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding linguistic identity and migration in the region.
The West Bengal government has offered to provide further data and verification to assist Odisha in ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens working across state lines. The situation remains a point of contention between the two states, raising questions about the treatment of migrant workers and the protection of their rights.
First Piper 