West Bengal Communal Violence: Appeasement Allegations

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Violent West Bengal communal violence erupted following protests against the new Waqf law.
CM Mamata Banerjee is accused of ignoring victims and alleged TMC appeasement of aggressors.
A father and son were brutally killed during Murshidabad violence; hundreds of Hindus fled.
Critics claim Banerjee and TMC leaders dealt softly with rioters, neglecting victims’ plight.
Central forces were deployed after Calcutta High Court intervention, yet tensions persisted.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

- Advertisement -

West Bengal: Communal Violence Erupts Amid Waqf Protests, Political Storm Brews

West Bengal has recently witnessed severe West Bengal communal violence. The unrest followed protests against the new Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025. This situation has put Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), under intense scrutiny. Serious allegations have surfaced. They accuse her administration of ignoring Hindu victims. Critics also claim alleged TMC appeasement towards the aggressors. This turmoil highlights deep communal fault lines within the state.

- Advertisement -

Timeline of the Unrest

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 passed on April 4. It received Presidential assent on April 5. However, large-scale violent protests in West Bengal began only on April 11. This occurred after Friday prayers. Critics argue this delay suggests pre-planning. It raises questions about state intelligence failures. Alternatively, it suggests deliberate allowance for communal mobs. Protests occurred in other states like Kerala, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh too. But none saw violence on Bengal’s scale.

- Advertisement -

Brutality in Murshidabad

The epicenter of the violence was the Muslim-majority district of Murshidabad. Protesters clashed fiercely with police. They allegedly set fire to Hindu homes and businesses. Shops were looted extensively. A horrifying incident occurred in Murshidabad. A mob attacked the home of artisans. Horogobindo Das and his son Chandan Das were dragged out. They were hacked to death mercilessly. Women of the family pleaded desperately but failed to save them. Following this brutal Murshidabad violence, hundreds of Hindus fled. Mostly women and children, they crossed the Ganga river by boat. They sought refuge in Malda district.

Administrative Response and Allegations

Videos emerged showing alleged police inaction. People claimed West Bengal police remained mute spectators. They alleged police did not act against aggressors. Despite hours of calls to police stations, no help arrived. Victims felt abandoned to marauding mobs. The violence continued into Saturday. The situation only began to change after the Calcutta High Court intervened. Following court orders, central forces were deployed in riot-hit areas. Yet, violence flared again on Monday. Incidents were reported from South 24 Parganas, near Kolkata.

Stance of Mamata Banerjee and TMC Leaders

Throughout this pogrom, critics accused Mamata Banerjee and TMC leaders. They allege leaders dealt with rioters using “kid gloves”. On Saturday, Banerjee announced she would not implement the new waqf law. She addressed rioters in violence-hit Murshidabad areas, appealing for peace. On X, she wrote: “We have made our position clear… we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?” She urged calm and restraint from all communities.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also appealed to Muslims “with folded hands” for peace. She mentioned filing a petition against the law in the Supreme Court. Moitra stated, “Like we didn’t allow NRC… the Mamata Banerjee government wouldn’t allow the waqf law.”

Political Blame Game Heats Up

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the TMC. They questioned why no TMC minister was arrested for inciting violence. The BJP alleged, “Because under Mamata Banerjee, hate against Hindus isn’t a crime — it’s a strategy.”

Conversely, TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim refuted claims of exodus. BJP’s Amit Malviya claimed 400 Hindu families were forced to flee. Hakim countered, “People are relocating within Bengal, not fleeing… West Bengal is safe.” He echoed Mamata Banerjee, urging mobs to protest in Delhi where the Act passed. Malviya slammed Hakim’s “intra-state migration” remark. He said, “Today, they belittle exodus. Tomorrow, they will normalise extermination.”

Vote Bank Politics and Human Tragedy

Muslims form a core voter segment for the TMC. Given the state’s demographics, this base is crucial. The 2011 Census showed Muslims comprised 27% of Bengal’s population. AIMIM’s Imran Solanki claimed in March it was 40%. Last year, Firhad Hakim stated Muslims were 33%.

The tragedy was compounded by its timing. Bengalis worldwide celebrated Noboborsho (Bengali New Year) on April 15. Despite killings and destruction targeting Hindu victims, critics point to a lack of strong condemnation from TMC leadership. Leaders appeared conciliatory towards violent mobs. This alleged TMC appeasement, critics warn, emboldens aggressors. It also risks alienating the state’s Hindus. The West Bengal communal violence poses a severe threat to the state’s social fabric.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

West Bengal communal violence escalated after protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.
CM Mamata Banerjee and TMC face accusations of ignoring Hindu victims and alleged TMC appeasement.
Brutal Murshidabad violence included killings and forced displacement of hundreds of Hindus.
Critics condemned alleged police inaction and the soft approach of TMC leaders towards rioters.
The events highlight concerns over vote bank politics and rising communal tensions in the state.