Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday responded to the concerns expressed by Trinamool Congress MP in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding alleged ill-treatment of workers from West Bengal in the state.
While reacting to Pathan’s letter to Shah, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan clarified that the Odisha government intends to deport only those residing illegally in the state and not Muslims.
Stressing that the deportation efforts are directed solely at people from Bangladesh who are staying in Odisha without valid and legal documentation, the Minister said the move is not aimed at targeting Muslims.
Stating that there is a growing demand the state for the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, he said a decision in this regard will be taken soon.
Harichandan made it clear that no member of the Muslim community has been affected by the actions under consideration.
On May 2, the TMC MP wrote to the Union Home Minister, alleging systematic violence against workers from West Bengal in Odisha, especially from his Baharampur constituency, and urged his intervention. He said such incidents not only disrupt livelihoods, but also endanger lives and fundamental human rights.
Pathan urged the Home Ministry to direct the Odisha Government to take swift and strict action against those responsible for the reported violence. He sought steps to ensure the safety of migrant workers in the affected districts and provide relief and rehabilitation support to those returning to West Bengal.
Meanwhile, reacting sharply to Pathan’s claims, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal called out the alleged hypocrisy of the TMC MP over his letter.
The BJP leader accused the first-time MP from Baharampur of batting for illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingyas while remaining mum over Murshidabad unrest last month.
“Yusuf Pathan Ji, this is not the time to show your Islam Brotherhood. This is the time to fight with terrorism, fight with Pakistan sponsored terrorism. For whom you are worried about, they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingyas staying in Odisha and destroying our socio-cultural harmony of the state. They have forged documents provided by West Bengal governments for vote bank politics. Why I am saying about his Islam Brotherhood is that Yusuf Pathan did not say a single word when Hindus in Murshidabad were attacked, but now writing letters,” Biswal posted on Facebook.
