Stalin Criticizes Delhi Police for Remarks on Bengali, Citing National Anthem Connection

Rapid Summary

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed solidarity with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over a controversy where the Delhi Police reportedly referred to Bengali as a “Bangladeshi language.”
• Mr. Stalin criticized the remark, calling it an attack on linguistic diversity and expressing concern about perceived bias against non-Hindi languages.
• ms. Banerjee termed the communication by Delhi Police “scandalous, insulting, anti-national, unconstitutional,” asserting that Bengali is recognized by the constitution and widely spoken across India.
• Mamata Banerjee emphasized that Bengali is sanctified as the language of national icons like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda and demanded widespread protests against what she described as anti-Bengali rhetoric.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The remarks attributed to Delhi Police ignite deeper concerns about India’s sensitive linguistic fabric, where diverse languages coexist under constitutional recognition. If indeed Bengali was described as a “Bangladeshi language,” it reflects not just misinformation but also undermines cultural inclusivity central to India’s ethos. Leaders such as M.K. Stalin highlighting this issue emphasize its resonance beyond regional politics-pointing to broader anxieties among states with non-Hindi linguistic heritages.

Mamata Banerjee’s strong reaction underscores how deeply any affront to identity tied with language can impact state-level sentiments.The claim relating to Bengali-a cornerstone of India’s literary history-appears particularly provocative given its connection with national icons and democratic constitutional guarantees for multifaceted depiction in india’s polity.

The controversy may prompt discussions on safeguarding linguistic dignity while maintaining harmony in federal governance structures that celebrate diversity rather than homogenization.

Read More: Using bangladeshi for Bangla: An insult to Bengali culture

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!M.K. Stalin File | Photo Credit: B.velankanni Raj