TMC MP Shatabdi Roy Sparks Controversy Over Bangla-Speaking Deportations in Heated Lok Sabha Exchange

Trinamool Congress MP Shatabdi Roy sparked controversy in the Lok Sabha when she claimed that Bangla-speaking individuals are being deported to Bangladesh, emphasizing that language should not be a criterion for deportation.

During Friday's Zero Hour session in New Delhi, Roy addressed the House in Bangla, referring to a specific case of deportation from Odisha to Bangladesh. When the chair, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, requested her to state her demand, Roy continued her speech until her allocated time expired and her microphone was cut off.

The situation escalated when BJP MP Jugal Kishore began speaking after her. Roy, accompanied by fellow TMC MP Mahua Moitra, approached Kishore's seat and attempted to speak into his microphone. Tenneti urged Roy to return to her designated place, while BJP MP Jagdambika Pal tried to calm the agitated TMC members.

When eventually permitted to conclude her remarks, Roy made a provocative statement suggesting that if Bangla-speakers can be deported to Bangladesh, then BJP members who speak Hindi and Urdu should be sent to Pakistan. This comment triggered immediate uproar in the House.

BJP MP Sambit Patra later responded forcefully, dismissing Roy's claims as factually incorrect and untrue. He emphasized that Odisha has historically maintained harmonious relations with all states and considers Bengali-speaking people as brothers.

Patra clarified, "Neither the Odisha government nor any MP or MLA of Odisha has any place in their heart for infiltrators — for Bangladeshis or Rohingyas — to be allowed space in Odisha." He demanded that Roy withdraw her statement about Hindi and Urdu speakers, asserting that while Bengalis are welcomed as brothers, "Bangladeshis and Rohingyas have no place in Odisha."