Kolkata, July 25 -- Amid a controversy over the Bengali language, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for another Bhasha Andolan (language movement) and alleged that people are being harassed for speaking Bengali in many places.

Addressing the 'Maha Nayak Samman' Awards on Thursday, CM Mamata Banerjee said, "Another Bhasha Andolan is needed to awaken everyone. People are being harassed for speaking Bengali in many places. Bengali is the fifth most spoken language in the world, and the second most spoken in Asia. Around 30 crore people speak Bengali, and today, Bengali speakers are being sent to jail."

Calling for wider public engagement, she urged for programmes to be held across all levels to raise awareness.

"I cannot a...