West Bengal Anti-Waqf Protests: 3 Killed In Murshidabad, Over 150 Arrested; Central Forces Deployed

West Bengal: Violent clashes linked to the ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 claimed three lives in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday, April 11. According to a reports, two individuals were killed during the clashes while another died in firing. The unrest, which has gripped several minority-dominated regions of the state, has also led to over a hundred arrests and significant property damage.

As per reports, the deceased have been identified as Haragobindo Das (65) and his son Chandan Das (40), who were reportedly pulled out of their residence and killed in Samserganj. In a separate incident in Suti, 25-year-old Ezaz Ahmed died from a gunshot wound.

Central Forces Deployed In Murshidabad

In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces in the worst-affected area of Jangipur. Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), confirmed that 118 people have been arrested in connection with Friday’s violence.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also held an urgent video conference with West Bengal’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police. According to reports, the Centre has deployed five additional companies of paramilitary forces along with nearly 300 BSF personnel already stationed in Murshidabad. Mohan assured that the Centre is "closely monitoring the situation" and stands ready to provide further assistance.

The clashes also spread beyond Bengal. In Tripura’s Unakoti district, at least 18 police personnel were reportedly injured as a protest rally turned violent.

CM Mamata Banerjee's Statement

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the violence and reiterated her government's opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) she wrote, "We have made our position clear on this matter — we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?" She added that the legislation was enacted by the central government and cautioned against “political misuse of religion.”

সবার কাছে আবেদন

সব ধর্মের সকল মানুষের কাছে আমার একান্ত আবেদন, আপনারা দয়া করে শান্ত থাকুন, সংযত থাকুন। ধর্মের নামে কোনো অ-ধার্মিক আচরণ করবেন না। প্রত্যেক মানুষের প্রাণই মূল্যবান, রাজনীতির স্বার্থে দাঙ্গা লাগাবেন না। দাঙ্গা যারা করছেন তারা সমাজের ক্ষতি করছেন।

মনে রাখবেন, যে…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 12, 2025

Meanwhile, her nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee appealed for calm, alleging a larger conspiracy to destabilise the state. "Some people want Bengal to burn," he claimed.

State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar accused the Trinamool government of soft-pedalling due to appeasement politics and claimed, "Such vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes" if BJP comes to power in the state.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, however, blamed the BJP, accusing the Centre of interfering in religious matters and inciting unrest.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed earlier this month, has sparked a sharp political and social divide. While the Opposition demands its rollback, the BJP is set to launch a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign' from April 20.