Supreme Court Takes Up PIL on Alleged Atrocities Against Bengali-Speaking Migrant Workers
The Supreme Court has taken up a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam, alleging unlawful detention, torture, and harassment of thousands of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in multiple BJP-ruled states. The PIL, filed on behalf of the West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board, names the Union government and several state authorities as respondents. The court has directed the states and the Union government to file an affidavit in response to the allegations, with the next hearing scheduled for August 25.
Key Takeaways:
- The PIL alleges that thousands of Bengali-speaking migrant workers were unlawfully detained, tortured, and harassed in multiple BJP-ruled states, including Odisha, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
- Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam filed the PIL on behalf of the West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board, of which he is chairman.
- The PIL seeks justice for the migrant workers and protests against the alleged "Bangla Birodhis" (anti-Bengali sentiment) fueled by the BJP.
- Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has taken a strong stance against the alleged atrocities, calling the detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers "illegal" and "more dangerous than emergency".
- The West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board has been fighting the cause of migrant labourers for a long time.
Statistics:
- 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal work in different states, according to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
- The PIL has named the Union government and several state authorities, including those from Odisha, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
Sources:
- X (Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam's post)
- Press Release (West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board)
- Indian Express (Mamata Banerjee's statement)
- Times of India (Story on migrant workers' plight)