Mamata Banerjee slams 'linguistic terrorism', bats for new language movement

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that a "language war" has been declared against Bengali-speaking people, claiming that despite 30 crore people speaking Bengali, they are being jailed for using their mother tongue.

"We love to speak in Bengali. All of us speak our mother tongue. A language war has been declared over the Bengali language. Another Bhasha Andolan should be started," Banerjee said.

Speaking at the death anniversary of iconic Bengali actor and matinee idol Uttam Kumar in Kolkata, Banerjee said: "We will fight for Bengali-speaking people who are being tortured. Let us all come together and organise another language movement." She also alleged that "language terrorism" was being unleashed against Bengali speakers.


"People are being tortured for speaking Bengali in many places. No one should be detained just for speaking Bengali. We cannot tolerate this. Programmes should be organised to raise awareness on this issue," she said. Calling it linguistic terrorism, Banerjee added: "A kind of linguistic terrorism has been declared against the Bengali language. Another Bhasha Andolan is needed to awaken everyone. Bengali is the 5th most spoken language in the world and 2nd in Asia."

Banerjee further said: "Around 30 crore people speak Bengali, and today, Bengali speakers are being sent to jail. I cannot accept this-and I believe you cannot either."