West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused BJP and RSS of fueling communal tension after violence in Murshidabad. She appealed for peace and rejected their 'divisive' politics.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday issued a fervent appeal for peace in the state, blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for orchestrating a “vicious false campaign” aimed at stoking communal tension in the wake of recent violence in Murshidabad district.
As per a strongly worded letter shared by news agency PTI, CM Mamata said, “BJP and its allies have suddenly become very aggressive in West Bengal. These allies include RSS. I have not taken the RSS’s name earlier, but I am being forced now to identify them. Together, they all have initiated a vicious false campaign in the State.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) appeals for peace in the state. She has released a letter saying:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2025
"BJP and its allies have suddenly become very aggressive in West Bengal. These allies include RSS. I have not taken the RSS's name earlier, but I am… pic.twitter.com/d8gUSk5MbB
She accused them of misusing a “provoked incident” to play divisive politics, stating, “They are planning to play the ‘divide and rule’ game. This is sinister.”
Mamata, asserting her deep bond with the state and the nation, wrote, “I am born and brought up in West Bengal, my motherland; I love India as my country. I love my country, I love my State, I love my grassroots from the district to the block and the village level – and that is how I love all. It is this love that makes me write this appeal.”
Calling for communal harmony, she added, “Please remain calm. We condemn communal riots and must curb them. The criminals behind the riots are being strongly dealt with. But, simultaneously, we must avoid mutual mistrust and distrust.”
Referring to the recent communal clashes in Samsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur areas of Murshidabad triggered by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Mamata claimed that BJP and its allies attempted to exploit Ram Navami festivities, which remained peaceful, and then targeted the Waqf agitation. She also accused them of maligning the universal Hinduism practised in Bengal.
“BJP and its allies are defaming the universal Hinduism of ours in the name of their so-called political agenda,” she stated, contrasting their ideology with the inclusive teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. “This universal religion teaches me to embrace all, accept all, love all. It teaches me to respect all religions.”
Highlighting the government’s response, Mamata said, “Two police officers-in-charge have been removed. Police is investigating. Further actions are being taken.” She insisted that “riots are created neither by Hindus, nor by Muslims – riots are engineered by criminals.”
Criticising the Centre’s approach to law and order in other states, she remarked, “In UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan protest rallies are not allowed! But no such anti-Constitutional dispensation is there in West Bengal… Manipur is burning for several months now… Assam and Tripura are also in profound turmoil.”
The Chief Minister also cited the state’s cultural harmony and inclusivity, mentioning that Bengal celebrates all major festivals across communities with equal fervour. “No community will be disturbed or adversely affected in West Bengal,” she assured, calling on people to reject misinformation spread by “outsiders” who incite riots “for their narrow political gain.”
Ending her letter, Mamata urged people to stay united and resist divisive propaganda.
Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, she stated, “O haraho tava ahobaan prachaarito, shuni tava udaar baani. Hindu Bauddha Sikh Jain Paarsik Musolmaan Khrishtaani
Purab Pashchim aashe tava singhaasan-paashe, premohar hoy gaanthaa, Janagan-aikya-bidhaayak, Joy he Bharatbhagyobidhaataa.” (“Your call rings constantly; we hear Your noble message. Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Muslims, Christians – from East and West – come to Your seat. They weave a garland of love. The unity of people brings You victory, O Maker of India’s destiny.”)
West Bengal Governor CV, NHRC, NCW Visit Violence-Hit Murshidabad
Meanwhile, in Murshidabad, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, and teams from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW) visited the affected areas and interacted with victims. According to PTI, Bose met families of the deceased in Shamsherganj and promised action, stating, “They have asked for permanent BSF outposts in the locality… Some proactive action will definitely be taken.”
The NCW delegation, led by chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, said the victims demanded NIA inquiry and permanent BSF camps. “I am dumbfounded by the agony these women are having to suffer… What they went through during the violence is beyond imagination,” Rahatkar said, assuring them of central support.
Placards seen during the visit read, “We don’t want Lakshmir Bhandar, we want BSF camp. We want security.”
Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, criticised the visits, questioning the motives behind them. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale alleged that NCW member Archana Majumdar is a “card-carrying BJP worker.” TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “These synchronised visits… point to the BJP’s gameplan not to normalise the situation.”
The BJP staged rallies across the state, condemning the administration’s handling of the violence and demanding arrests. Party leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed relief camps had turned into detention centres.
West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar also visited the affected areas and alleged that the riots were “pre-planned” and “no local Muslims were involved.” He demanded that Mamata Banerjee provide jobs and educational support to the victims’ families.
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