Mamata Banerjee to challenge deportation, alleges targeting of Bengali migrants in BJP states

Kolkata: The West Bengal government is set to move the court over three members of a family, including a minor, who were deported from Delhi to Bangladesh on June 26, a development that comes in the backdrop of chief minister Mamata Banerjee claiming that Bengali-speaking migrant workers are being labelled as “Bangladeshis” in BJP-ruled states.

Samirul Islam, chairman of West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board and All India Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha member, told ET that the state government will move the court on the issue of six migrant workers, including three members of a family. “This is happening every day in BJP-ruled states where Bengali-speaking migrant workers are targeted. Despite showing all proof, no action is being taken,” he said. “Around 22 lakh migrants work in other states. Why are they being treated this way in BJP-ruled states? There are 1.5 lakh migrants working in Bengal.”

Sheikh’s relatives claim that Danish Sheikh, his wife Sunali Khatun and their minor son hail from Paikar village under Muraroi police station in Birbhum district in West Bengal and that all the family members lived in Delhi for their livelihood.

A senior police officer in Delhi, however, said that the family was “deported to Bangladesh after proper verification” and that the three members had no valid documents.