West Benga Violence Update: Politics Heats Up Over Violence in West Bengal, BJP and Congress Target Mamata, Demand President’s Rule

West Benga Violence Update: The atmosphere remains tense in several regions of West Bengal due to violent incidents triggered by opposition to the Wakf Amendment Act recently enacted by the Central Government. Violent protests broke out in the districts of Murshidabad, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and Malda. The situation is particularly grave in Murshidabad. Following incidents of violence, arson, and vandalism, over 500 Hindus have fled from Dhulian and taken shelter in Malda.

Political Temperature Soars

The political climate in the state has intensified over these violent incidents. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in the state and elections be held under central administration. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari stated that only under President’s Rule can free and fair elections be conducted in the state. Meanwhile, the Congress has also launched a major attack on Mamata Banerjee’s government.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that riots happen only where the government desires them. According to him, the West Bengal government wanted these riots, and hence such incidents of violence have taken place.

Accusations of Appeasement Politics Against Mamata

Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that persecution based on religion is taking place in Bengal. Targeting Mamata Banerjee, he claimed that her party’s politics of appeasement has encouraged extremist elements in the state.

He said that Hindus are being deliberately targeted. Following the incidents of violence, more than 500 Hindu refugees have been forced to take shelter in other places from Dhulian. Hindus are living in fear of radical elements.

Demand to Conduct Elections Under President’s Rule

Senior BJP leader Adhikari said that considering the current situation, President’s Rule must be imposed in the state. He alleged that the state police has now become Mamata Banerjee’s personal cadre. Therefore, elections should be conducted in West Bengal only under President’s Rule. He further said that in districts where the Hindu population is less than 50 percent, Hindus will not be able to vote freely due to the pressure from radicals. Hence, the Election Commission should conduct elections in the state under President’s Rule to ensure free and fair polls.

Congress Leader Chowdhury Slams Mamata

Sharp Criticism Over Government’s Role in Violence

Former West Bengal Pradesh Congress President and former MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the violence in Murshidabad. He said that the Chief Minister is acting and pretending to be secular.

“I believe riots happen only where the government wants them,” he added. “It happened once in Godhra because the government wanted it. Now the same is happening in West Bengal because this government wants it.”

Government Ignored Despite Being Aware

Chowdhury Points Fingers at Both BJP and TMC

He alleged that the Bengal government is giving the BJP an opportunity to label ordinary Muslims as jihadists. “The real question is — who benefits from this? Both BJP and TMC are benefitting from it,” he said. Chowdhury claimed that everything in Murshidabad is under the control of the TMC. “How could they not know about the riots? The truth is — the government had all the information but deliberately chose to shut its eyes,” he said. “We are trying to ensure peace from our side, and I am going there in this connection,” he added.

DGP Claims Situation is Under Control

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar has claimed that the situation in Murshidabad is under control. No new incidents of violence have occurred in the state. The DGP stated that 21 companies of security forces have been deployed in the violence-affected areas.

On the other hand, the Hindus who have taken shelter in various places in Malda after fleeing from Dhulian said that their homes were set on fire, women were mistreated, and male members were severely beaten by the attackers.

Demand for President’s Rule in the State

People who have fled due to the violence in Murshidabad have demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. They said the situation in the state has become extremely dire. Manoj Ghosh, one of the displaced individuals, stated that their shops were set on fire, and their homes were vandalized. He demanded that President’s Rule should be imposed in the state. A local vendor said, “There is hooliganism and chaos everywhere. Therefore, the presence of the BSF (Border Security Force) should be maintained at all times.”

Demand to Declare Four Districts as Disturbed Areas Under AFSPA

Meanwhile, BJP MP from Purulia, Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding that four districts in the state be declared disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).