Staff Correspondent
Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed deep concern over reports of harassment of Bengali-speaking people in several Indian states, with many being pushed across the border into Bangladesh as “illegal migrants.”
Speaking at an event in Kolkata on Friday, the 91-year-old economist said with his trademark humor, “I read in the newspapers that someone was sent to Bangladesh just for speaking Bengali. That worried me a little. I thought I should start speaking French—but the problem is, I don’t know French. Since my ancestral home is in Dhaka, maybe I too could be sent back to Bangladesh.”
Sen, however, emphasized the seriousness of the issue. He said Bengali speakers are facing professional obstacles and humiliation in many parts of India, and called for respect toward Bengali culture and heritage. “I would not claim that Bengali culture is the best, but its historical significance must be recognized. Every cultural identity—be it Bengali, Punjabi, or others—deserves respect in India’s diverse civilization. If respect is denied, then protest is necessary,” he added.
The comments come amid a crackdown on alleged “illegal immigrants” across India following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Since then, thousands of Bengali speakers, including women and children, have reportedly been detained in states like Gujarat and later pushed toward Bangladesh.
International media outlets including the BBC and The New York Times have also reported on the harassment faced by Bengali-speaking communities in India.