Following violent clashes in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, locals have raised serious concerns about their safety and demanded President’s Rule in the state. They allege that homes and shops were vandalised and torched, while police failed to respond despite being stationed nearby.
Speaking to ANI, local resident Manoj Ghosh said, “They burnt shops and vandalised houses. We want BSF presence here permanently if things are to be peaceful… A police station is very close, but they didn’t come.”
Another resident echoed the sentiment, stating, “We want President’s Rule here. There’s chaos and hooliganism everywhere.”
A local vendor added, “We want security, nothing else. Our shops were vandalised. Where will we go? We have children and women in our families. They entered our houses and vandalised everything.”
The violence erupted following protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, which came into force on April 8. In response to escalating tensions, the Calcutta High Court ordered the immediate deployment of Central forces in Murshidabad. Following the order, five companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) were deployed to assist the state police.
IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat confirmed the BSF deployment, stating that they are working alongside state authorities to restore order.
According to West Bengal Police, three people were killed on Friday night during mob violence, and several shops and vehicles were torched. The Calcutta High Court has directed both the Mamata Banerjee-led state government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation, with the next hearing scheduled for April 17.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 was passed after a 12-hour debate in the Rajya Sabha, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, and has sparked protests in various parts of the country, including Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
