Image by Fajrul Falah from Pixabay
The recent deaths of three individuals in Murshidabad district during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act have highlighted serious underlying issues in West Bengal. These events have not only revealed the political gaps within the State but have also brought attention to the growing religious divide. Despite repeated promises by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the law would not be enforced in West Bengal and that minority interests would be protected, the Muslim community continues to feel unheard and anxious.
Protests Escalate Despite Restrictions
Violent incidents that began on April 8 have still not been brought under control. Even though the State administration has imposed restrictions on gatherings and suspended internet services to prevent the spread of unrest, the situation remains tense. Protesters have targeted public property, especially in the Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad and similar disturbances have been reported in Kolkata and other regions.
A Longstanding Communal Struggle
West Bengal has been facing communal tensions for quite some time. Unfortunately, both the ruling party, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the main Opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have tried to take advantage of this division for their own political benefits. On one side, the TMC has quietly supported Muslim protests against the Waqf law, while on the other, the BJP has openly promoted Ram Navami processions where many of which have taken a provocative turn. Although the police have now pledged to take strong action against those responsible for violence, their slow response during the initial days of the protests has raised serious questions.
Court Intervention and Central Forces Deployment
Given the deteriorating law and order situation, the Calcutta High Court stepped in and directed that central armed police forces be deployed in Murshidabad to bring the situation under control. This move reflects a lack of faith in the State’s ability to handle the crisis on its own.
Weak and Politicised Policing
Public confidence in law enforcement has been steadily declining. Policing in West Bengal has not only become ineffective but is also seen as being influenced by political interests. This is not the first time Murshidabad has experienced such unrest. A similar wave of violence erupted there in 2019 during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Despite those earlier lessons, the administration has failed to prevent a repeat of such violence.
A Region Burdened by Poverty
The ongoing crisis is unfolding in one of the poorest areas of West Bengal. In Murshidabad, many men leave the region to find work elsewhere, while women support their families by rolling beedis (handmade cigarettes). These economic hardships make the population even more vulnerable to political and communal manipulation.
Political Parties Fueling the Fire
Rather than working to calm tensions, political leaders have added fuel to the fire. Disputes over the Ram Navami celebrations and the Waqf Act have been used by both major parties to provoke religious sentiments. This kind of behaviour is part of a larger and concerning trend visible across India, where politics and religion are becoming dangerously tangled.
A Call for Responsible Governance
The Mamata Banerjee-led government needs to act quickly, fairly, and without bias to restore peace. The administration must enforce law and order and ensure that the police act without political pressure. With Assembly elections just a year away, it is evident that both the BJP and the TMC are trying to win votes by playing on religious sentiments. This strategy must come to an end.
Shift Focus to Development and Not Division
The ruling party, TMC, cannot simply shift blame to the BJP and escape responsibility. As the party in power, it holds the primary duty of protecting its people and maintaining peace. West Bengal must move beyond communal politics and instead focus on improving governance, ensuring public safety and supporting the economic development of its most disadvantaged areas.
TMC MP Saket Gokhale Accuses BJP Leader of Spreading Fake Images to Fuel Communal Tensions
In a strong political development, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Saket Gokhale, has made serious allegations against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minister, Sukanta Majumdar. Gokhale claimed that Majumdar tried to provoke communal violence in West Bengal by sharing false photos on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). According to Gokhale, the act of sharing these fake images was not a simple mistake—it was a planned move. “A Union Minister has been caught red-handed trying to incite communal riots,” Gokhale wrote in a post on X. He also attached screenshots of the post, which has since been deleted from Majumdar’s account.
Gokhale didn’t stop with just blaming Majumdar. He further claimed that this was part of a bigger plan allegedly being directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to him, this strategy involves using ministers to create tension and then deploying central forces to the state. He called it a “toolkit” approach aimed at manipulating the situation before the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year. These accusations come at a time when West Bengal is already facing unrest. Violent protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act recently erupted in the Murshidabad district. These protests have turned deadly, leading to the loss of three lives. Two of those deaths have been reportedly linked to communal clashes, adding to the concern around Gokhale’s claims. Gokhale directly pointed fingers at Sukanta Majumdar, who also leads the BJP’s Bengal unit by saying he tried to create divisions between different communities. He accused Majumdar of knowingly sharing false photos with the goal of stirring up communal tension. “As a minister, aren’t you ashamed of committing a crime that could disrupt public peace?” Gokhale asked publicly.
Demand for Accountability and Condemnation of Political Tactics
The TMC leader also challenged Amit Shah to take strict action against Majumdar. He criticized the Union government for what he called “dirty political tactics,” which he believes are being used out of desperation to gain an advantage in the West Bengal elections. Gokhale highlighted the fact that the tweet was deleted after it was exposed, yet Majumdar hasn’t issued any apology.
“Why haven’t you apologised for spreading false and dangerous information that could lead to riots? Or was this your intention all along, and you simply thought you wouldn’t be caught?” Gokhale questioned in his post.
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