Growing Anxiety Among Bengali-Speaking Migrants in Noida
In Noida, a city in Uttar Pradesh, Bengali-speaking migrants are feeling afraid. Recent police actions to check the citizenship of migrants have caused worry. Many families are packing their bags and leaving to go back to their homes. This is especially true for those who come from Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.
Binoy, a 52-year-old man who sells coconuts, lives in a small tin-roof house, called a jhuggi, in Sector 93A of Noida. He stepped outside barefoot, holding a blue plastic mug. When asked if he is Bengali, he tensed up and replied, “I’m an Indian.” However, when pressed about where he is from, he said, “Yes… I’m from Kolkata.” This shows how scared he feels.
Government’s Orders Leading to Fear
The fear among Kenyan migrants like Binoy started when the Union Home Ministry issued a letter in May 2023. The letter asked states to prepare a plan to deport illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya. Many Bengali-speaking people were targeted in recent checks in Delhi and Gurgaon. Some were detained and asked to prove their citizenship, adding to the tension in Noida.
Last December, these verification drives began in Delhi. They later spread to Gurgaon. These actions have created an atmosphere of fear among many migrant workers living and working in Noida.
Families Packing Up
Near Sarfabad’s link road, another collection of jhuggis showed how serious this situation is. Many houses were locked up, and it looked like families were suddenly disappearing. Runa, a 29-year-old woman living there with her five-year-old son, is one of many leaving. She said, “We have sent our bags home. I am packing whatever is left.”
Runa mentioned that her family is leaving because of worries. “My mother has been sick for the past year. After seeing what happened in Gurgaon, she is scared for us,” she added. Runa feels it is hard to explain their identity. “We are just Bengali-speaking people,” she insisted. She explained that their Bengali is different from that spoken in Bangladesh. But she knows it would be difficult to explain if the police came.”
The Ripple Effects of Police Drives
Nearby, Solaiman Miya, who runs a small shop, told a similar story. He said, “They’ve gone back home. There’s fear among Bengalis.” Many people he knows have left Noida. Some left for safety, and others are still there but worry about their families. They fear police checks could happen again.
In another area of Delhi called Vasant Kunj, police cut off electricity to many Bengali-speaking families earlier this year. This happened after a civil court issued a ruling due to alleged electricity theft. Bengali Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke out against the government, saying these actions seem unfair.
Recent Detentions Raise Alarm
Reports also showed that in Gurgaon, several Bengali-speaking workers faced detention during police checks. Despite having proper identity documents like Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, they were still questioned. Many families were stressed and afraid that the police would not recognize their legal status.
The Gurgaon Police released a statement saying they only targeted “confirmed Bangladeshis” during these checks. However, this has not stopped the anxiety felt by these communities. The fear is real for many families who have lived in these areas for years.
Hope to Return
In Noida’s Sector 78, some families have left but hope to return when things feel safer. Mudeena, who works in a local society, said, “They said they’ll come back when it feels safe again.” This sentiment shows how quickly lives can change for migrant families seeking better opportunities.
In Sector 93A, there is still a sense of unease among rag-pickers from Jharkhand, some of whom speak Bengali. Most of them decided to stay despite the risk. Raju, a scrap collector, said, “A verification drive happened here two months ago. It made some people nervous, but most of us are staying. We can’t leave our work.”
Police Response
When approached for comment, Noida Police Public Relations Officer Subodh Kumar explained that police regularly check for illegal immigrants in these communities. “Around two months ago, a huge verification drive was initiated by the Noida Police across different slum clusters and villages,” he said. This verification process left many residents feeling anxious, unsure of what might happen next.
Conclusion
The atmosphere among Bengali-speaking migrants in Noida has become challenging. Many families feel they must leave to stay safe. Despite having lived and worked in the area for years, the fear of police checks makes daily life difficult. They merely seek the opportunity to provide for their families and live peacefully.
For Binoy, Runa, Solaiman Miya, and others, their identity and sense of belonging in India are under threat. As they pack their bags, they hope for a safer tomorrow where they can live without fear.
