The Trinamool Congress leader urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent any ‘atrocious law’ and monitor Union Home Minister Amit Shah closely. These comments were made during her engagement with Muslim clerics and leaders of the Muslim community regarding the Waqf Amendment Act.
“BJP sought to provoke riots during Ram Navami, but they failed; I will ensure there is no division among people; I advocate for unity. We will nullify all anti-people Bills passed by BJP once it is removed from power at the Centre,” said Mamata.
Heightened security measures have been implemented outside Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, where the meeting took place.
Violent demonstrations broke out on April 11 and 12 in various areas of the district, including Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur, prompted by discontent over the amended Waqf Act. The protests quickly escalated into clashes, resulting in at least three fatalities and multiple injuries.
Large numbers of BSF, CRPF, state police, and RAF personnel have been deployed in Jangipur, Dhuliyan, Suti, and Shamsherganj, where officials reported no new incidents of violence in the last 48 hours.
In response to allegations of Bangladeshi radicals participating in the violence, she questioned, “Isn’t it the BSF’s responsibility to secure the border?”
#WATCH | During her discussion with Muslim clerics, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee states, “Yesterday, I noticed a tweet from ANI citing the Home Ministry that Bangladesh is implicated in this (Murshidabad violence). If this holds true, the Central Govt is accountable. BSF is tasked with… pic.twitter.com/ubcrMMuTVP
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2025
Reports indicated that Bangladeshi radicals, allegedly supported by local political party leaders, were “involved” in the recent disturbances sparked by the anti-Waqf law protests in Murshidabad. Allegedly connected to the violence were members of two Bangladesh-based extremist groups—Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)—which resulted in three deaths.
The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to each family of the three individuals who lost their lives in the unrest.
Moreover, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has set up an inquiry committee to probe alleged instances of molestation and displacement of women during the recent communal disturbances in Murshidabad. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and will visit the affected areas to evaluate the situation and meet with victims.
First Published: Apr 16, 2025 1:16 PM IST
