Mushidabad Violence: The Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following a fresh wave of violence in several areas, including Suti, Samserganj, and Dhuliyan. The violence has allegedly been linked to ongoing protests in Murshidabad against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. At least three people have lost their lives—one of whom was allegedly shot—while over 100 have been arrested by the police in connection with the unrest. This is the third time this week that violence has erupted in Murshidabad district, allegedly in response to the anti-Waqf protests.
The court, acting "urgently" on a petition filed by BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, stated that it could not keep its eyes closed in such situations, ordering the deployment of Central Armed Police. "Citizens must be provided with adequate security and protection to ensure peace and order in the region," a special bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury said.
The central forces will operate in coordination with the state administration, the court added, instructing both the state government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. Suvendu Adhikari's plea sought the deployment of central forces in the district.
Murshidabad Violence: Latest Updates
At least three people were killed, and several others sustained injuries after fresh violence broke out in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, where protests against the Waqf Amendment Act turned violent earlier this week. The renewed violence occurred a day after widespread unrest in the Suti and Samserganj areas during demonstrations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
The victims—a father and son—were discovered with multiple stab wounds inside their residence in Dhuliyan, located in the violence-affected Samserganj area, a police officer told PTI. According to him, both were found lying inside their home and were declared brought dead at a nearby hospital.
Family members alleged that miscreants had looted the house and stabbed the two before fleeing. In a separate incident in Dhuliyan, another individual who had sustained bullet injuries earlier in the day died during treatment. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Jawed Shamim, said that initial reports suggest the shooting may have involved BSF personnel rather than the local police.
West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar stated that there were clear instructions from the government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday, and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly.
"It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours; do not pay attention to them. Police will take strict action—do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request cooperation from the public; we will not tolerate any kind of violence," he said.
BSF forces were deployed in specific parts of the district, which shares a border with Bangladesh, in response to Friday’s disturbances. Violence erupted across Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts on Friday over the new legislation. Several vehicles, including police vans, were torched, security forces came under a barrage of stones, and roads were blocked amid the chaos.
Authorities have arrested 118 individuals in connection with the violence, and more arrests are expected as the investigation continues. Authorities are actively working to bring the situation under control, with senior officers at the ADG and IG levels stationed in Murshidabad. Specialised units have also been deployed to maintain law and order.
Political Slugfest Begins
The BJP has gone all guns blazing against the Trinamool government, accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fuelling anti-Hindu violence under the guise of Waqf-related protests. Union Minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Mamata Banerjee's government turned a blind eye to attacks on Hindus in Samserganj, Suti, and Jangipur.
He also accused the police of failing to act on Mamata Banerjee's instructions, claiming that they were "doing nothing" and "keeping quiet." Majumdar said they were in touch with Delhi, apprising them of the developments.
"The police are doing nothing and are keeping quiet under Mamata Banerjee’s directions. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus, but Hindus have always fought, and that will continue. We are in contact with Delhi, and the (Union) Home Minister is aware of everything," Majumdar said, as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, accused Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics. "One has to go to court to celebrate Hindu festivals here. A lot of violence happened today as well. The situation is out of police control. Thirty-five policemen have been injured so far. Mamata Banerjee is doing politics of appeasement. I had earlier written to the Governor (for the deployment of central forces in Bengal); yesterday, I also appealed to the Chief Minister," he said.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics and said, "One has to go to court to celebrate Hindu festivals here. Today also a lot of violence happened. The situation is out of police control. 35 policemen have been injured so far. Mamata Banerjee is doing politics of appeasement. I had earlier written to the Governor (for deployment of central forces in Bengal), yesterday I also appealed to the Chief Minister."
"When these people did not do so, I went to court today. Tomorrow there is a BJP rally in College Square. The ground reality is that Hindus are not safe in Bengal, the situation is very serious, delicate," he said.
Adhikari also sought NIA investigation into alleged vandalism and destruction of railway property by agitators on Friday. In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the BJP leader drew his attention to vandalism at various railway stations in Murshidabad district during violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Abhishek Banerjee Reacts To Murshidabad Violence
Reacting to the violence, Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee said that "some people want to set Bengal on fire." He urged people to maintain peace in the state and not fall prey to rumours. Banerjee further stated that many people want to create unrest in West Bengal "by sowing seeds of division in the name of religion."
"Some people want to set Bengal on fire. We should maintain peace and not fall prey to rumours... Many people are trying to create unrest in Bengal by sowing seeds of division in the name of religion. I appeal to everyone today to maintain peace and preserve Bengal's legacy of harmony. We should all be alert and aware. Some people want Bengal to burn," Abhishek Banerjee said.
Waqf Amendment Act Won't Be Implemented In West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday reiterated that the Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in the state, stating that the law was made by the Centre and answers should be sought from it. "My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said in a post on X.
"Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government. We have made our position clear on this matter -- we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about," she said.
Banerjee said legal action will be taken against those inciting riots. "We do not condone any violent activity. Some political parties are trying to misuse religion for political gain. Do not give in to their persuasion. I think religion means humanity, goodwill, civilisation and harmony. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony," she added.