Synopsis:
All India Milli Council meets West Bengal Governor to address rising harassment and wrongful deportation of migrant workers, urging protection of constitutional rights and fair electoral processes.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | August 12, 2025
Migrant workers from West Bengal are facing escalating harassment, discrimination, and wrongful deportations in various parts of India, prompting the All India Milli Council to seek urgent intervention from His Excellency Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal.
A delegation led by Mr. Shahood Alam, Mr. Rafay Siddiqui, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad, Mr. Qamruddin Mullick, and Mr. Sabir Ahamed met the Governor on Tuesday to highlight the growing misuse of administrative powers against citizens—particularly linguistic minorities—being falsely branded as “Bangladeshi nationals” and forcibly expelled.
Constitutional Violations and Human Rights Concerns
The delegation expressed deep concern that such actions not only erode human dignity but also breach the Constitution of India, specifically Article 14 – Right to Equality, Article 15 – Protection against Discrimination and Article 19 – Freedom of Movement and Residence.
They warned that migrant workers are being singled out on the basis of language or cultural identity, leading to social isolation, administrative harassment, and the unjust questioning of their citizenship status. Such practices, the delegation argued, set a dangerous precedent where citizenship rights become contingent upon linguistic or cultural conformity rather than the rule of law. They noted that these incidents are not isolated but form part of a disturbing pattern of profiling, arbitrary detentions, and wrongful deportations that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. By conflating cultural identity with questions of nationality, authorities risk undermining social cohesion, eroding trust in public institutions, and fostering an environment of fear among genuine citizens who have lived and worked in India for generations. The delegation stressed that safeguarding the rights of migrant workers is not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative for any society that claims adherence to constitutional values and democratic principles.
Electoral Roll Revision Sparks Fear of Exclusion
Beyond harassment concerns, the Council voiced alarm over the Election Commission of India’s decision to conduct a Statewide Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. According to the delegation, the rushed process could result in the exclusion of legitimate citizens—especially from marginalized communities—thus undermining democratic participation.
Appeal for Immediate Action
As the constitutional head of the state, the Governor was urged to uphold dignity and equality for all citizens, regardless of their language or cultural background. The delegation called on him to direct the concerned authorities to investigate and put an end to the harassment of migrant workers, ensure the protection of constitutional rights for all residents of West Bengal, and guarantee that no eligible citizen is excluded from the electoral rolls during the SIR process.
Governor Bose assured the representatives that he would take up the matter with the Union Home Minister, highlighting the plight of migrant workers and pressing for measures to safeguard justice and constitutional protections.
The All India Milli Council voiced confidence that the Governor’s office would respond with urgency and empathy, reaffirming the values of justice, equality, and fraternity that lie at the heart of India’s democratic framework.
