Waqf Protest Turns Violent In Murshidabad Again, Rail Tracks Blocked In Malda; BJP Says ‘Bengal Held Hostage’

Aligarh News April 12, 2025

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Protests in Murshidabad over the Waqf Act turned violent, leading to clashes with the police again. In Malda, train services were disrupted as around 5,000 people squatted on the railway track.

Fresh violence broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Friday as protesters demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act clashed with police, leading to widespread disruption of train services in the region. Tensions erupted at the Sajur intersection under the Suti police station on National Highway 12 soon after Friday prayers.

According to local inputs, police attempted to stop the demonstrators who had gathered to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. In response, protesters allegedly hurled bricks at police personnel, triggering chaos in the area. The highway was blocked for hours, severely inconveniencing commuters. To disperse the crowd, police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells.

"Today a crowd gathered at Jangipur, Murshidabad, to protest against the Waqf amendment act. Subsequently, the crowd got unruly, creating a law and order situation. There was a request from district administration, and BSF responded positively and has mobilised troops to help administration in restoring normalcy," Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, BSF DIG PRO, South Bengal Frontier, said, as per news agency ANI.

The violence in Murshidabad was followed by incidents reported from other parts of the state.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose condemned the violent protests in the state and said, "I have been receiving disturbing reports about some people taking law and order into their hands in some parts of Bengal. Protest is welcome under democracy, but not violence. Public order cannot be disturbed, and people's lives cannot be tampered with in the name of protest. Very strong action will be taken against the miscreants... On receipt of information about certain troubles likely to brew in certain parts of Bengal, there was a confidential discussion between the governor and the Chief Minister..."

"Even today, when some of the disturbances broke out, discussions were held with the government authorities. The Chief Secretary has assured that the government is taking very stern action against the miscreants and will not allow disturbances to escalate. The state is prepared. All action will be taken against miscreants. Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Bengal deserves peace. Bengal will get peace. No doubt about that," he said.

Over 5,000 People Disrupt Train Movement In Malda 

Meanwhile, train movement was disrupted in Malda as a large group of around 5,000 people squatted on the railway track between Dhulian Ganga and Nimtita stations in the Azimganj–New Farakka section of the Eastern Railway, as per a statement. The protest began around 2:46 pm and impacted the running of the 15644 DN Kamakhya-Puri Express.

Eastern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Diptimoy Dutta confirmed the disruption. “Train services have been affected in the Azimganj-New Farakka section as a group of people were squatting on the railway track between Dhulian Ganga and Nimtita stations. They also damaged gate number 43. The railway track is intact so far. Two trains were cancelled, and two were short-terminated. Around five trains are diverted. Eastern Railway is concerned about obstructing the railway tracks,” he told ANI.

'West Bengal Is Being Held Hostage': BJP Slams CM Mamata Banerjee Over Murshidabad Violence

BJP West Bengal, in a series of strongly worded posts on X (formerly Twitter), squarely blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the law and order breakdown.

“Bengal is on the brink — and Mamata Banerjee is to blame. Violent Muslim mobs, stirred up after Friday prayers, are vandalising temples and torching Hindu homes in Dhulian, Malancha Farraka, Malda. All over a WAQF Amendment most haven’t even read,” the party alleged.

Criticising the Trinamool Congress government, the BJP post further claimed, “This is the price of years of Muslim appeasement — law and order crushed under vote-bank politics. Metiabruz is boiling. Internet’s cut. Police are mute. Hindus are left to burn. This is not governance. This is betrayal. Mamata is playing with fire — and Bengal will burn for it.”

In another post accompanied by an image, the BJP wrote, “One frame. Total collapse. A Hindu man being forced to pull down a saffron flag. Police turn their backs—one’s on the phone, unbothered. And a man in the background grins, watching it all like a victory parade. This is Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal—where dignity is disposable and silence is state policy.”

Commenting on fresh incidents in South Bengal, the party added, “West Bengal isn’t being governed — it’s being held hostage. In Amtala Chowrasta, Diamond Harbour, Muslim mobs protesting the WAQF Board attacked police vehicles in broad daylight. Cops didn’t act. They watched. This is what Mamata Banerjee’s rule looks like — mobs in charge, police paralysed, and law buried under appeasement. Bengal is slipping — fast.”

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also weighed in, saying, “Mamata Banerjee has given West Bengal into the hands of jihadis...In different parts across Bengal, Hindu temples are being vandalised, houses of Hindus are being attacked, five trains are stuck. Mamata Banerjee has failed to maintain law and order. 10-12 policemen have sustained injuries. These people (criminals) should get proper treatment or else they will vandalise the entire Bengal.”

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury condemned the violence and criticised the administration’s response. “The incident in the Samsherganj area of Murshidabad involved loot and clashes. The police have not been able to handle the situation so far. The administration is well aware that Murshidabad and Malda are sensitive areas, yet they have failed to take effective action. If you want to protest, do so within the framework of the law — this is my earnest request to the people of Murshidabad,” he said, as per news agency IANS.

As tensions continue to escalate across West Bengal, the state government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the unrest.

This comes after 22 people were arrested in connection with the Murshidabad violence on Tuesday

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