'I might be sent back to Bangladesh': Amartya Sen expresses concern over linguistic intolerance against Bengalis in India
He also claimed that Bengali-speaking individuals are facing professional hurdles and instances of disrespect.
Renowned economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has raised concerns over what he described as growing linguistic intolerance in India, particularly towards Bengali-speaking people in various states.
Referring to media reports that Bengali-speaking persons of West Bengal are being pushed to Bangladesh on suspicion that they hail from that country, he jokingly said there is a possibility that he might be sent back to Dhaka, where his family has roots, reports PTI.
"I saw in the newspaper that someone was sent to Bangladesh because he was speaking in Bengali. It made me a bit worried," the 91-year-old Nobel Laureate said at a public discussion in Kolkata yesterday (23 August).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
With characteristic wit, he added, "I decided to speak in French but the only problem is I do not know French."
"There remains a possibility that I might be sent back to Bangladesh because my ancestral home is in Dhaka. And I do not have much objection to that," remarked Sen, who was born in West Bengal's Santiniketan.
In response to media queries regarding the reported harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states, he emphasised the diversity of Indian civilisation, stating that every cultural identity, including Bengali and Punjabi, has reasons to be celebrated.
He also claimed that Bengali-speaking individuals are facing professional hurdles and instances of disrespect.
"I am not claiming that the Bengali culture and civilisation are the best, but we must highlight the history of the Bengali language, culture and civilisation. There must be respect for Bengali culture. If not, there needs to be protests," the economist said.
