BJP Blames Mamata for ‘Communal Flare-Up‘. Riots in Bengal after amendment in Waqf Amendment Act
The latest round of communal violence has exposed the growing polarisation in the state, deep flaws in the political class and the inability of the Mamata Banerjee administration to deal with or stop those who spread unrest.
Murshidabad: Murshidabad district in West Bengal remains tense following a flare-up over a protest against the amendment to the Waqf Act which left at least three people dead.
While the state administration has claimed the situation is under control, the latest round of violence has exposed deep faultlines in an increasingly polarised state and the administration’s inability to anticipate or contain the unrest.
Acting on the Calcutta high court’s directive, central forces have been deployed in several areas of the district since late April 12. From the morning of April 13 (today), joint route marches by central and state police are being held in volatile pockets of the districts. Authorities are also considering peace talks involving all stakeholders to restore calm.
Mobile internet was turned off in areas of Bengal this weekend, with unconfirmed reports claiming that group forwards and posting on WhatsApp was curtailed.
What began as a regular protest against the controversial Waqf Bill spiralled into full-blown violence following an alleged stone-pelting incident in Jangipur area of the district. Despite prior indicators of unrest, police were caught unprepared and the clashes ballooned.
Thousands of students and young men affiliated with minority organisations started agitations, blocking the National Highway 12 and affecting inland road connectivity between North and South Bengal. Protesters allegedly hurled bricks at police, set fire to government buses, police vehicles, and ambulances and were caught on video looting shopping malls. Khalilur Raman, Trinamool Congress MP from Jangipur also reportedly came under attack. To control the situation, police used batons and fired tear gas shells.
“I’ve lived here for 50 years. The river erosion in this area already presents a massive survival challenge for us. But I could never imagine such social division. Just thinking about what I saw makes me tremble,” said Rabikul who was stranded on NH 12 while he was accompanying an injured in an ambulance to the hospital.
On Saturday, Harogobindo Das and his son, Chandan Das, both reportedly workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), were found dead at their house in Jafrabad of Samserganj. Jafrabad is three kilometres from Sajir More, where the violence is believed to have originated. The two had multiple stab wounds. Reports have said that the two had been vocal against the violence as it began.
In addition, a 21-year-old, Ijaz Momin, died on Saturday from bullet wounds sustained during clashes at Suti, on April 11, Friday. On Sunday, Momin’s father was reported to have alleged that Momin died due to police firing, but The Wire has not been able to confirm this.
According to police sources, 30 individuals were arrested in Jangipur between Saturday night and Sunday morning on charges of involvement in violent incidents. The total number of arrests in Murshidabad has now risen to 138.
On social media, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a statement appealing calm and assuring protesters that the Waqf Act won’t be implemented in the state.
“Do not engage in any unrighteous behaviour in the name of religion,” she stated. “We do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So, what is the riot about? Also, remember, we will take legal action against those who incite riots.”
Siddiqullah Chowdhury, a cabinet minister in Mamata Banerjee’s government, is incidentally one of the leaders spearheading the agitation. Chowdhury, 76, is the Minister of Mass Education Extension and Library Services and serves as the West Bengal president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. He has faced scrutiny time and again for his inflammatory remarks.
“What has transpired has harmed Bengal. We must protect the secular character of our nation. I am aware that certain groups are inciting tension. Last night, we urged members of the Muslim community to remain calm. Announcements via mosque loudspeakers began on Sunday,” said Choudhury.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has called the violence “communal”, with state assembly leader of opposition Suvendhu Adhikari claiming that this is a part of “religious persecution” under the Mamata regime. Adhikari has also posted footage of alleged violence.
West Bengal, in the recent past, has witnessed multiple clashes, some communal. Both Murshidabad and Malda have emerged as sensitive districts due to their demographic composition and proximity to the Bangladesh border.
If anything, past incidents indicate communal violences in these areas were neither spontaneous nor unforeseen, a fact corroborated by local opposition leaders.
“I’ve heard that preparations for the gathering had been going on for days. Yet, the police claim they had no information. Three people died! I’ve received reports that local Trinamool workers were part of the attacking mob, accompanied by anti-social elements. They looted the area,” claimed former Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is originally from Murshidabad.
On Saturday, Congress MP from Malda Dakshin, Isha Khan Choudhury wrote to the state police DGP requesting army deployment to control the situation.
“Why did the police have no intelligence? When opposition parties plan any action, the police show up in large numbers. Why such a lax response here?” asked Choudhury.“The situation is somewhat under control after army deployment. But I will raise questions in the next meeting about the police’s inconsistent roles.”The violence underscores West Bengal’s deepening communal fissures in the past decade. Ram Navami rallies, Hanuman temples, and saffron-clad “Jai Shree Ram” processions now clash with aggressive Islamic jalsas and Sharia hardliners eroding syncretic Sufi traditions.
“On the issue of Waqf, both Trinamool and BJP are beneficiaries in Bengal. Both parties are trying to divide people by painting every issue with a religious colour before the 2026 assembly elections,” claimed CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim who had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Murshidabad.