Kolkata : Fresh incidents of violence shook West Bengal on Monday as demonstrations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, escalated into clashes in Bhangar, located in South 24 Parganas. This unrest occurred while areas in the Murshidabad district, previously impacted by communal tensions over the weekend, were gradually returning to a state of calm.
In Bhangar, a protest organized by Indian Secular Front (ISF) legislator Naushad Siddique turned violent when law enforcement intervened to prevent a large assembly of supporters from proceeding towards Ramlila Maidan in Kolkata, citing the absence of authorization for the gathering. The demonstrators, many of whom had traveled from adjacent areas such as Minakhan and Sandeshkhali, were stopped by police at Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway.
The situation intensified as protesters attempted to break through police barricades. According to official reports, demonstrators engaged in stone throwing, set fire to at least five police motorcycles, and attacked a prison transport vehicle. Several police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation. A section of the highway was blocked for several hours before the police were able to disperse the crowd.
“The situation in Bhangar is now under control. Legal cases have been initiated against those involved in the violent acts,” stated a senior police official. Authorities also urged the public to disregard unsubstantiated rumors and cautioned against the spread of misinformation, warning of strict penalties for such actions.
Despite the turmoil in Bhangar, MLA Naushad Siddique addressed the rally in Kolkata, denouncing the Waqf (Amendment) Act as a “violation of the Constitution” and demanding its immediate revocation. He questioned the rationale behind preventing his party’s supporters from holding what he asserted was intended to be a peaceful demonstration. “If the state government is against the Act, why are they obstructing our protest?” he inquired.
Lingering Tensions in Murshidabad Following Weekend Unrest
The violence in Bhangar followed a series of communal clashes in the Murshidabad district, where protests related to the same Act resulted in the deaths of three individuals on April 12. The most severely affected areas included Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur.
According to police sources, over 200 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the Murshidabad violence. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Jawed Shamim, reported that while no significant incidents had occurred in the preceding 36 hours, efforts to rehabilitate those displaced by the violence were ongoing.
Reports indicate that between 100 and 200 people, predominantly from the Hindu community, sought refuge in the neighboring Malda district across the Bhagirathi River. The BJP contested this figure, claiming that approximately 400 people were compelled to flee their homes. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar visited a relief camp in Baishnabnagar and stated that numerous houses were set on fire during the riots.
Central Forces Deployed; State Appeals for Peace
In response to the escalating tensions, the Calcutta High Court mandated the deployment of 17 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the regions affected by the violence. Senior officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been coordinating with the state police. During a visit to Murshidabad, BSF ADG (East) Ravi Gandhi was approached by women from the affected areas who pleaded for protection.
Chief Minister’s Appeal
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while inaugurating a skywalk to the Kalighat temple on Monday, appealed to all communities to maintain peace and harmony. “Everyone has the right to protest, but it must be done with proper authorization. There will be attempts to provoke, but people must exercise self-control,” she stated.
Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s stance that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in West Bengal and urged protesters to direct their grievances to the central government rather than disrupting peace within the state. “No one should resort to violence in the name of religion,” she emphasized.
