GLOBIVOX

Kolkata, Sept 6, 2025 — A shocking case of violence against a Bengali-speaking migrant worker has emerged from Odisha’s Balasore district, where 28-year-old Tarzan Sheikh, a hawker from Karjgram in Katwa (West Bengal), claims he was physically assaulted and robbed simply for answering in his native language.

According to Sheikh, the incident took place in Jaleshwar’s Lakshmandihi area, where he regularly sells utensils door-to-door. Locals approached him with questions in Odia, but when he responded in Bengali, suspicions were raised about his identity. Despite showing his Aadhaar and voter ID cards, he was allegedly branded a “Bangladeshi,” accused of carrying fake documents, and attacked by a group of men.

The mob reportedly fractured his arm, snatched his earnings of ₹6,000, and left him injured. With the help of locals, Sheikh managed to escape and return to his hometown in Katwa, where he is now receiving treatment. He has lodged a complaint with the police, demanding strict action against the attackers.

This is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, several reports have surfaced of Bengali-speaking workers facing harassment and violence across parts of Odisha. Earlier, eight workers from Murshidabad were allegedly thrashed near Bhubaneswar on suspicions of being “Bangladeshi cattle thieves.” Survivors claimed they were beaten for hours before being forced to leave the area.

There have also been disturbing accounts of migrants being held in makeshift detention camps, where they were reportedly packed into crowded rooms, fed only flattened rice and jaggery, and subjected to verbal abuse. Many victims allege that they were targeted solely because of their language.

The repeated incidents have sparked widespread condemnation. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has termed it a case of “linguistic hatred and targeted discrimination,” urging the central government to step in. A TMC MP has already moved the Supreme Court with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), demanding protection for Bengali-speaking workers in BJP-ruled states. Meanwhile, Congress leaders staged protests in Kolkata, calling the assaults a violation of human rights and India’s cultural unity.

Civil society groups have also expressed concern, warning that unchecked violence against migrants could deepen regional divides and discourage inter-state labor movement, which plays a vital role in the economies of states like Odisha.

As investigations continue, Sheikh’s case has brought renewed focus on the vulnerability of migrant workers who leave their homes in search of livelihood. For now, the victim is recovering in West Bengal, but his ordeal stands as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by thousands of workers across the country who often navigate prejudice, suspicion, and unsafe working conditions.