Odisha: ‘Targeted, Xenophobic Attack’, Says Construction Workers’ Fed on Bengali Migrant’s Lynching

New Delhi: The Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) has expressed “deep outrage and strong condemnation” of the brutal lynching to death of a 20-year-old Bengali-speaking migrant labourer in Sambalpur, Odisha, who worked as a mason. As per reports, the youth, Juel Sheikh, was lynched to death allegedly after being interrogated by some vigilantes about his identity, was forced to show his Aadhaar card, and branded as "Bangladeshi infiltrator". Two of his friends are critically injured.

In a statement, the CWFI said this was not an isolated incident, “it is the direct result of a poisonous narrative being fueled in BJP-ruled states”, and demanded fast-track trial of the accused. It als demanded that the authorities issue a “clear directive” to protect Bengali-speaking labourers from vigilante identity checks and harassment.

Read the full statement below:

CWFI Condemns Brutal Lynching of Bengali Construction Worker in Odisha

The Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) expresses its deepest outrage and strongest condemnation over the brutal lynching of Juel Sheikh, a 20-year-old migrant construction worker from Suti, Murshidabad, in Sambalpur, Odisha. Juel, the only son of his parents, had arrived in Odisha just five days prior to seek a livelihood as a mason. On the night of December 24, he was murdered by a mob while his colleagues, Majhar Khan and Nizamuddin Khan, were left critically injured.

The CWFI categorically rejects any attempt by the authorities to downplay this horror as a mere monetary dispute. Eyewitness accounts and statements from the survivors make it painfully clear that this was a targeted, xenophobic attack. The victims were interrogated about their identity, forced to show Aadhaar cards, and branded as "Bangladeshi infiltrators" before being assaulted with iron rods and sharp weapons. This is not an isolated incident; it is the direct result of a poisonous narrative being fueled in BJP-ruled states. By constantly labeling Bengali-speaking migrants as "illegal immigrants" for political gain, a climate of mobocracy has been created where workers are treated with suspicion and violence.

 The CWFI holds the state and central governments responsible for the safety of the working class. While six arrests have been made, the root cause—the inflammatory rhetoric that triggers such mobocracy remains unaddressed. We demand a fast-track trial for the accused to ensure the strictest possible punishment. Furthermore, the Odisha Government must provide immediate compensation of RS 1 crore to the family of the deceased and RS 25 lakhs each to the injured workers. The authorities must also issue a clear directive to protect Bengali-speaking laborers from vigilante identity checks and harassment.

The construction sector is the backbone of India’s infrastructure, built on the sweat of migrant laborers who travel across the country to feed their families. When a worker cannot move from one state to another without fearing for their life based on their language or religion, it is a direct assault on the Constitution of India.

 The CWFI stands in solidarity with the family of Juel Sheikh and calls upon all its affiliates to conduct protest demonstrations condemning the barbaric killing.

Issued by

U P Joseph, (General Secretary), CWFI