Bhubaneswar, India – May 4, 2025 ( OT Webdesk): A heated political exchange has erupted following allegations by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Yusuf Pathan regarding the mistreatment of migrant labourers from West Bengal in Odisha.
In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Pathan claimed that workers from Murshidabad and Berhampore districts were facing inhumane conditions while working in Odisha.
Odisha BJP leader Anil Biswal swiftly rejected Pathan’s claims, labelling them “baseless and politically motivated.” Biswal accused Pathan of spreading misinformation and politicising the issue.
He further alleged that many of the purported migrant workers were, in fact, illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh and the Rohingya community who had entered India using forged identity documents.
“These infiltrators are disturbing the social harmony and cultural fabric of Odisha,” Biswal stated, asserting that fake documents were being misused for vote-bank politics.
He questioned Pathan’s silence on alleged incidents targeting Hindus in Murshidabad, calling the issue a matter of national security.
Pathan has called for an official inquiry and protection measures for the affected workers, while Biswal has framed the matter as an infiltration and security threat.
As of now, the Union Home Ministry has not responded to the controversy.
Political analysts suggest that this exchange highlights deeper tensions between the BJP and TMC over migration, identity politics, and national security.
With elections approaching, such disputes could play a significant role in shaping narratives across party lines.
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