Gold loses glitter for workers in Ahmedabad

The drive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi settlers has not taken off in the state, but it is already giving the jitters to Bengal...

The drive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi settlers has not taken off in the state, but it is already giving the jitters to Bengali-speaking goldsmiths in the city. They have already had fights with Gujarati goldsmiths, and many of them haven’t reported for work.

Nearly 25,000 Bengali-speaking goldsmiths work for jewellers at Ratan Pol and other parts of the old city. They are commonly known as ‘‘Bangladeshis’’, though many of them claim they are from West Bengal and are mistaken for Bangladeshis since they are Muslims.

‘‘Some elements, guided by ulterior motives, are calling us Bangladeshis. We are Indian and have nothing to do with Bangladesh,’’ says Rauf Shaikh, head of the Samast Bengali Samaj. He says the recent fights were the result of a turf battle between Bengalis and local goldsmiths.

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At Rs 1,500 or so per month, Bengali-speaking goldsmiths provide cheap labour. Besides, they are ready to work for long hours.

Most jewellers employ Bengalis, and though there have been scraps in the past — mostly over stealing of gold given for working — these have been minor. At worst, police complaints are lodged. But last week, Bengali and local goldsmiths came to fisticuffs over alleged remarks about Bangladeshi immigrants. One worker was severely beaten up.

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