Stalin Slams Delhi Police’s Bengali Reference as a ‘Direct Insult’ to National Anthem Language 🟠 Subtitle

Chennai / New Delhi, August 4, 2025 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly condemned the Delhi Police for allegedly referring to Bengali as a “Bangladeshi language”, calling it a “direct insult” to the language in which India’s National Anthem was written. He echoed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s earlier criticism of what she referred to as a scandalous and unconstitutional mischaracterisation.(turn0search2turn0search0)

Speaking on X, Stalin asserted such remarks were not mere slips of the tongue but indicative of a “dark mindset that undermines India’s linguistic plurality.” He applauded Mamata for taking a stand and vowed she would ensure no attack on Bengali goes unanswered.(turn0search2)

🔍 Political Reactions & Context

• Mamata Banerjee, citing an internal Delhi Police communication, described that Bengali was labelled a “Bangladeshi language,” calling the act scandalous and anti-national. She reminded the nation that Rabindranath Tagore penned the National Anthem in Bengali.(turn0search2turn0search0)

• BJP leader Amit Malviya asserted that Mamata’s claims were inflammatory. He stated the Delhi Police document referred to languages spoken by “infiltrators” and did not explicitly name Bengali as foreign. Malviya even suggested seeking action under the National Security Act.(turn0search2)

CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim joined the chorus, denouncing the police as “ill‑informed” and calling on them to recognise the constitutional status of Bengali.(turn0search2)

🌐 Significance for Linguistic Diversity

Stalin’s remarks are part of his broader resistance to perceived imposition of Hindi or other languages over regional tongues. He has frequently referenced the 1967 Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing that demanding linguistic equality is not chauvinism.(turn0search7turn0search9)

Addressing concerns over proposed constitutional language norms burdens, Stalin described the National Education Policy (NEP) as harmful to Tamil Nadu and criticized Sanskrit naming of laws, demanding prioritisation of Tamil.(turn0search11turn0search10)

🧭 Wider Political Ramifications

This controversy reflects tensions across India’s federal linguistic set-up:

• Telangana and Karnataka have also experienced conflicts over language recognition.

• DMK-led Tamil Nadu has repeatedly accused the BJP-led central government of cultural erosion and ignoring developments like the Keeladi archaeological evidence.(turn0news18, turn0news19)

• Advocates argue that official frameworks such as the 8th Schedule of the Constitution already include Bengali, affirming its Indian status and cultural importance.(turn0search2)

✅ Summary Table