NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Friday sought the Centre’s response to petitions challenging the alleged detention of Muslim migrant workers in West Bengal. During the hearing, the government claimed that “systematic infiltration” is underway in Bengal and other regions, involving agents and organised rackets.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the issue goes beyond Bengal, citing the case of the Rohingyas. “There is a systematic racket, not limited to Bengal. Several terrorist organisations have infiltrated along with the Rohingyas,” he told the bench.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi questioned whether individuals were being targeted based on language, to which Mehta clarified that detentions could not be made on such grounds. The judges stressed two key aspects: “security and integrity of the nation” and the shared “legacy and culture” across border states like Punjab and Bengal.
Meanwhile, the matter has fueled a political confrontation. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP of unfairly branding migrant labourers from Bengal as “Bangladeshis” simply for speaking their native tongue. The party alleged such branding has led to harassment, assaults, and even “forced pushbacks” across the border.
