3 Killed in Bengal Waqf Protests as Court Orders Deployment of Central Forces 

3 Killed in Bengal Waqf Protests as Court Orders Deployment of Central Forces 

RMN News Story Highlights:

• The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has been a subject of controversy, with critics expressing concerns over its implications for minority rights and religious freedoms. 
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal in her opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
• Calcutta High Court orders the deployment of central paramilitary forces in the affected Jangipur area.
• The violence erupted primarily in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district.

Kolkata: A tense situation is unfolding in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, resulting in the tragic deaths of three people. 

The escalating unrest has prompted the Calcutta High Court to order the deployment of central paramilitary forces in the affected Jangipur area. The state’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has firmly stated that her government will not implement the contentious central law, further fueling the political friction surrounding the issue. The violence, which erupted primarily in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district, saw clashes that led to the deaths of two individuals, while another man was killed by firing. 

These incidents occurred on Friday in areas like Samserganj and Suti. Reports indicate that a father and son were found with multiple stab wounds in their home in Jafrabad, with their family alleging looting before the fatal attack. A separate incident in Dhulian, Samserganj, resulted in another death due to a bullet injury.

In response to the widespread unrest, the police have arrested 118 people in connection with the violence. Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Jawed Shamim, confirmed the fatalities and mentioned initial reports suggesting the possibility of shots fired from the Border Security Force (BSF) side, although this remains under investigation. Shamim assured that the injured are receiving treatment and that the situation remains tense.

The gravity of the situation led to a special hearing by a bench of the Calcutta High Court on a court holiday, following a petition filed by the Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari. The court accepted his plea and ordered the immediate deployment of central paramilitary forces in Jangipur, one of the violence-hit areas. 

Adhikari stated that he sought central intervention due to the “large-scale communal riots spreading like wildfire across West Bengal” after the state government allegedly did not accept his initial request.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal in her opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, declaring that “this law will not be implemented in our state”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she questioned the reason for the unrest, given her government’s stance against the law, which she emphasized was enacted by the central government. 

She appealed for peace and harmony, urging people not to fall prey to provocation and cautioning against the political misuse of religion. “Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government,” she added.

MP Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, echoed the appeal for calm and accused certain forces of attempting to sow divisions in the name of religion to spread unrest in Bengal, after failing to fight politically on development issues. He urged everyone to remain alert and uphold Bengal’s legacy of harmony.

The protests have not been confined to Murshidabad alone. Reports indicate that violence also erupted in Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts on the same day. During these protests, several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were thrown at security forces, and roads were blocked. Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar warned that the state police would not tolerate any disruption of law and order under the guise of protests.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill underwent parliamentary procedures in April 2025, being tabled and passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha before receiving the President’s assent on April 5, 2025, thus becoming law. While the Opposition has been protesting against the Act, the BJP has initiated a ‘Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign’ from April 20 to May 5 to highlight the perceived benefits of the Act to the Muslim community.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has been a subject of controversy, with critics expressing concerns over its implications for minority rights and religious freedoms. While the central government defends it as a historic reform, opponents argue that it grants the state excessive authority over Muslim endowments and undermines the secular principles of the Constitution. This has led to widespread protests and legal challenges across India.