In a shocking incident, two students from Bihar were assaulted in Siliguri, West Bengal, after they arrived to take the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam. The attack, allegedly carried out by members of Bangla Pokkho, has ignited a fire in political row, with Union ministers from Bihar condemning the incident and accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of targeting non-Bengalis.
The Incident: Bihar Students Attacked in Siliguri
A viral video of the incident shows the students, identified as Ankit Yadav and another unnamed man, sleeping in a room when a group of men barged in, interrogating them in Bengali about their origins. Upon learning that the students were from Bihar, the intruders demanded to see their documents, claiming they were police officers. When Yadav requested to be taken to the police station, he was shoved to the ground and forced to perform sit-ups, all while being pressured to leave Bengal and never return for exams.
The students explained that they had come for a physical examination at an SSC center in Siliguri, which had been assigned to them, but the attackers insisted that only residents of Bengal could sit for exams at that center. Rajat Bhattacharya, linked to the Bangla Pokkho group, later admitted that the students were suspected of using fake domicile certificates to fraudulently secure government jobs meant for West Bengal residents. Bhattacharya claimed they wanted to "nab" the students before informing the police.
Bangla Pokkho & Anti-Hindi Sentiment
Bangla Pokkho is an organization advocating for the promotion of Bengali culture and language, and has been known for its aggressive stance against Hindi speakers, especially those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The group has previously led campaigns to remove Hindi-language signage in West Bengal and is accused of targeting non-Bengalis in the state. The group's leader, Garga Chatterjee, defended the actions, alleging a larger racket involving fake domicile certificates that deprived Bengali youths of job opportunities.
Political Fallout & National Outrage
The assault on the Bihar students has triggered a massive political backlash. Union Minister Giriraj Singh took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of giving preferential treatment to Rohingya Muslims while discriminating against Indian citizens. “Red carpet for Rohingya Muslims in Bengal, but Bihar kids are beaten for taking exams. Are they not part of India?” Singh wrote.
Another Union Minister, Chirag Paswan, called the attack "unfortunate and condemnable," accusing the Bengal government of repeatedly insulting Biharis. He questioned whether it was a crime for students from Bihar to take an exam in West Bengal and urged Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to investigate the matter and take legal action against the culprits.
Arrests & Response from Bengal
Following the uproar, the Siliguri police swiftly acted on the viral video, arresting two men involved in the attack. The police clarified that the men falsely claimed to be Intelligence Bureau (IB) officers at the time of the assault. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including Kunal Ghosh, denied that the incident was part of any anti-non-Bengali agenda, calling it a "local issue" that would be thoroughly investigated.
A video was in circulation on social media where two persons claiming them as IB officers were seen assaulting and abusing two other persons in Siliguri. Those two persons have been identified, their claim of being the IB officers is fake and they have been arrested.
— Siliguri Police Commissionerate (@SiliguriPolice) September 26, 2024
However, TMC's ally, Bangla Pokkho, maintained its stance, with Garga Chatterjee reiterating that a criminal network had been manipulating the domicile certificate system in Bengal. He called for stricter verification measures at examination centers to prevent non-residents from taking jobs reserved for West Bengal natives.
Nationwide Debate on Regionalism & Employment
The assault on the Bihar students has reignited the debate over regionalism and employment opportunities in India. Political leaders across the spectrum have weighed in, with some, like BJP MP Arjun Singh, calling for equal opportunities for all Indians regardless of state residency. “Bengali youths can go to Bihar for jobs, so what’s the harm if Bihari youths come here?” Singh questioned, urging the West Bengal government to act against such discriminatory practices.
On the other hand, defenders of the attack claim that fraudulent practices, such as the use of fake domicile certificates, are depriving West Bengal youths of their rightful opportunities. The CBI is already investigating a broader fake certificate racket, but the political and social implications of such incidents have far-reaching consequences for the unity and integrity of India.
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Conclusion
As the situation unfolds, the assault on the Bihar students has not only sparked a political firestorm but also highlighted deeper issues of regionalism, identity politics and employment in India. With arrests made and investigations underway, all eyes are on the West Bengal government to ensure justice and prevent future incidents of regional discrimination.
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This incident serves as a reminder of the growing tensions between different states over job opportunities and the critical need for a balanced approach that respects both local rights and national unity.
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