New Delhi: With hundreds of Bengali-speaking migrant workers, primarily from West Bengal being labelled as “Bangladeshi infiltrators” in BJP-ruled states, including Odisha, Delhi, Assam, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (July 18) invoked “Bengali asmita (pride)” at a rally in poll bound West Bengal’s Durgapur.

Accusing West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of encouraging illegal immigrants and creating fake documents for them, and in a bid to blunt the criticism levelled against BJP-ruled states that have acted against Bengali speaking migrant workers in recent weeks, Modi spoke at length in Bengali saying that wherever the saffron party is in power “there is respect for Bangla” and the “people of West Bengal”.

"BJP views Bangla language as a medium for inspiration, tradition and identity. For the BJP, Bangla asmita (pride) is supreme. Wherever the BJP is in power in the country, there is respect for Bangla and the people of West Bengal. But here in West Bengal, the TMC for its gain has put the identity of West Bengal at stake,” he said.

“This is why infiltration is being encouraged, their fake documents are being created. An entire ecosystem has been developed here. This is a threat to West Bengal, the country and Bengali culture. But for appeasement TMC has crossed all limits. Today TMC's conspiracy has been exposed to the country. That is why the TMC has now started a new campaign for these infiltrators,” he added.

In his first remarks on the ongoing pushback of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators, Modi said that “those who are not citizens of India and have entered illegally” will “face action under the Constitution.”

“They (TMC) want to challenge the constitution and constitutional institutions. TMC is now speaking openly in their favour. Let me make it clear, those who are not citizens of India, those who have infiltrated illegally, they will face action under the Constitution. BJP will not allow any conspiracy against Bengal's pride to be successful. This is Modi's guarantee,” said Modi.

Following Modi's speech, the TMC accused the prime minister of having the "audacity" to make the claim on Bengal's soil that wherever it’s is in power, there is respect for Bengali and Bengali-speaking people.

"The audacity to say this while standing on Bengal’s soil. Bengali-speaking citizens are being harassed, detained, jailed, and humiliated in Assam, Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat – all BJP ruled states," the party said in a statement, adding, "Either you're exceptionally good at lying, or dangerously ignorant!"

At the rally, Modi started and ended his speech in Bengali, in a bid to counter the TMC which has accused the BJP of being “Bangla birodhi” (opposed to Bengali speakers).

The TMC, on its official X handle, fired a salvo at Modi and said that “it's great that you started your speech in Bengali.”

“Should we be worried you'll be sent to detention too?” the party said.

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