Bengali Migrant Beaten to Death in Pune; Mamata Banerjee Warns Maharashtra Government

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the brutal murder of a 24-year-old Bengali migrant worker in Pune, Maharashtra, allegedly targeted for speaking his mother tongue. She described the incident as a hate crime and demanded the immediate arrest and strict punishment of the perpetrators, warning of serious consequences if swift action is not taken.

Mamata Calls It a Hate Crime

Banerjee said, “This is a clear hate crime. A young man was targeted and killed simply for his language, identity, and roots. He was tortured and brutally murdered. This is the outcome of an environment where xenophobia is being weaponized against innocent people.”

The Chief Minister expressed her grief and anger by posting a video of the incident on her official social media account. She extended her support to the family of the victim, stating, “To the family of Sukhen Mahato, the sole breadwinner of your household, I want to say that the entire Bengal stands with you in this time of immense sorrow. Every effort will be made to ensure justice.”

Details of the Murder

The victim, identified as Sukhen Mahato from Bandwan in Purulia district, West Bengal, had been working as a migrant laborer in Pune since 2021. He was employed at a car parts manufacturing company near Santbari in Koregaon Bhima.

According to police and local sources, Sukhen was allegedly beaten to death in Koregaon Bhima for speaking Bengali. His body was recovered from the area on Wednesday afternoon under the Shikarpur Police Station jurisdiction. Sukhen’s elder brother, Tulsiram Mahato, has lodged a murder complaint with the police.

Mamata Issues Warning to Maharashtra Government

Banerjee demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and called for the strictest possible punishment. She warned that failure to act promptly could have serious repercussions.

This is not the first time the West Bengal Chief Minister has raised her voice over attacks on Bengali migrant workers in other states, especially in BJP-ruled regions. She has previously criticized the central government over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking communities across India.