Tripura woman faces B’deshi slur on Kolkata bus

Agartala: A Bengali woman from Tripura, who has been living and working in Kolkata for the past five years, was harassed and labelled a ‘Bangladeshi’ while travelling on a bus in the West Bengal capital.

The incident triggered strong reactions in Tripura. The All India Bengali Association here condemned the incident and demanded an apology from the West Bengal govt for insulting a fellow community member. The association also called for increased awareness regarding regional dialects and language.

A video clip of the incident, widely circulated on social media, shows the woman speaking in a Bengali dialect typical of Tripura during the ride. It is alleged that some passengers questioned her nationality, using her accent to call her a ‘Bangladeshi’.

In the footage, the woman stands her ground, asserting her Indian citizenship. She challenged the reasoning behind labelling someone as foreigner based merely on their accent or dialect variations. She highlighted that many individuals from Tripura, Assam, and other northeastern states live and work in West Bengal while maintaining their regional linguistic traits.

The video quickly went viral on social media, prompting widespread condemnation. Many social media users described the behaviour as discriminatory, arguing that it contradicts India’s constitutional principles that promote diversity and equality. Supporters have urged for more respect towards cultural and linguistic differences.

The incident has reignited discussions regarding discrimination encountered by people from the northeast. Many from the region have frequently reported facing biases based on language, appearance, and cultural background in various parts of the country.

Amra Bangali supporters noted similarities with past incidents of alleged discrimination against northeastern communities. They alleged that these situations underscore the need for increased awareness, sensitivity, and acceptance in a nation as diverse as India.