Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury at his official residence in Delhi on Tuesday, with the discussion turning to allegations of attacks and harassment faced by Bengali-speaking people in several BJP-ruled states. The issue, flagged by Chowdhury during the meeting, has gained political salience amid growing debate over migration, identity and language rights across eastern and north-eastern parts of the country.Chowdhury, a former West Bengal Congress chief and a veteran parliamentarian, urged the Prime Minister to intervene decisively to halt what he described as a pattern of intimidation and violence against Bengali speakers. According to him, individuals identified by language or accent have faced questioning, physical assaults and social exclusion, often in areas witnessing heightened political and demographic tensions. He conveyed that such incidents risk undermining constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of movement.
The Prime Minister, people familiar with the meeting said, listened to the concerns and sought details on the nature of the incidents being cited. The exchange came at a time when language and migration have become charged issues in several states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, particularly those bordering West Bengal or experiencing internal migration linked to labour markets and urban expansion.
Chowdhury later said he had emphasised that Bengali is among the most widely spoken languages in the country and that Bengali-speaking citizens live and work across state boundaries. He argued that singling out people based on language not only violates the spirit of federalism but also fuels social mistrust. Stressing the need for restraint, he called for clear instructions to state administrations and law-enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all linguistic communities.
Political analysts note that the issue has surfaced repeatedly over the past year, with opposition parties alleging that linguistic profiling has intensified in some regions during police verification drives and localised political campaigns. These allegations have been denied by state governments, which maintain that any action taken by authorities is aimed at addressing illegal activities or security concerns rather than targeting any language group.
The meeting also reflects a broader pattern of the Prime Minister engaging with opposition leaders on contentious social issues, even as partisan rhetoric remains sharp in public forums. For the Congress, the question of Bengali speakers’ safety has become intertwined with its political strategy in West Bengal and neighbouring states, where it seeks to reclaim ground by positioning itself as a defender of minority and regional identities.
BJP leaders, for their part, have argued that claims of systematic attacks are exaggerated and politically motivated. They contend that governance challenges in border regions, including illegal migration and organised crime, require firm administrative action, and that such measures should not be misrepresented as linguistic discrimination. Senior figures in the party have also pointed out that Bengali speakers occupy prominent positions across the country and that the language enjoys constitutional recognition.
Legal experts say that while law and order is primarily a state subject, the Union government has a responsibility to uphold fundamental rights if credible evidence of targeted violence emerges. Any sustained pattern of attacks based on language could invite judicial scrutiny and intervention, particularly if victims are denied effective remedies at the local level.
The discussion at the Prime Minister’s residence did not result in an immediate public statement or assurance, but observers say the very fact that the issue was raised directly reflects its growing prominence. Civil society groups have been calling for transparent investigations into reported incidents and for public messaging that reinforces linguistic harmony.