Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during riots over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. April 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (April 12, 2025) accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of encouraging targeted violence against Hindus within the State, allegedly occurring under the guise of protests against recent amendments to Waqf legislation.
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Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that while the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill by Parliament had generated a “wave of happiness” across India, aside from some “peaceful protests,” the situation in West Bengal was markedly different. He alleged that Ms. Banerjee had transformed the State – “the land of Swami Vivekananda, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, and Rabindranath Tagore” – into a “laboratory of appeasement”.
“All is peaceful in neighbouring Assam and other parts of the country, but violence is happening in West Bengal because Mamata Banerjee supports it,” Mr. Bhandari alleged. He also implicated Ms. Banerjee’s close aide, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, for his purported role in the events.
Mr Bhandari further claimed specific instances of inaction: “…when a radical mob attacks Hindus in places like Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and Jangipur, in a targeted manner, the police – who lathi-charge protesting teachers – remain silent.”
Asserting that no police action was taken against individuals involved in violence in Murshidabad, and claiming that prior intelligence reports were available to her government, Mr. Bhandari held Ms. Banerjee directly responsible. He emphasised that law and order is constitutionally a State subject under the Chief Minister’s purview.
He alleged that a public statement made by Ms. Banerjee after April 5, in which she expressed opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, was interpreted by extremist groups as tacit support. “A message was sent to all the radical elements in West Bengal that she was supporting them,” Mr Bhandari alleged.
Published – April 12, 2025 10:21 pm IST
