New Delhi, April 12, 2025 – A tragic escalation of violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, stemming from protests against the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The unrest prompted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to declare that her government will not implement the legislation within the state. The Act, which received presidential assent earlier this month, has ignited a wave of demonstrations and legal challenges across India, with political parties, religious organizations, and civil society groups raising significant concerns regarding its impact on minority rights and religious freedoms.
The Central Government has positioned the legislation as a historic reform aimed at enhancing the management of Waqf properties. However, critics argue that it facilitates excessive state interference in Muslim endowments, potentially undermining the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution. This contentious issue has sparked a range of developments, from courtroom disputes in Delhi to violent street protests in Bengal and Rajasthan.
Fatal Violence in Murshidabad
In Murshidabad, a father and son were discovered deceased with multiple stab wounds inside their residence in the Jafrabad locality of the violence-affected Samserganj area. Family members allege that unidentified assailants looted the home before the fatal attack. Separately, another individual sustained a bullet injury in Dhulian, Samserganj. The district has experienced widespread unrest, with significant violence reported on Friday in the Samserganj and Suti regions during protests against the Act. Authorities have arrested 118 individuals in connection with the disturbances. While initial reports indicated a single bullet injury, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim later confirmed two deaths, leaving open the possibility of police or Border Security Force (BSF) involvement, though the source remains under investigation. “These are preliminary findings that require further verification,” Shamim noted, adding that the injured are receiving medical attention amid ongoing tensions.
Judicial Intervention and Central Force Deployment
In response to the escalating violence, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the immediate deployment of central paramilitary forces to Murshidabad. This directive followed an urgent hearing on a public holiday, prompted by a petition from Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari highlighted the state government’s refusal to request central assistance, stating, “Given the rapid spread of communal riots across West Bengal, I sought immediate intervention, but with no response, I turned to the High Court.” A division bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chaudhary approved the plea, mandating the deployment of forces to stabilize the region.
State Stance and Political Reactions
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly rejected the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal, particularly amid unrest in Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad. In a statement on X, she questioned the basis of the violence, noting, “We did not enact this law; it was imposed by the Centre. What is the riot about?” She urged all religious communities to remain calm and avoid provocation, accusing certain political entities of exploiting religion for electoral advantage. Reports indicate that police fired four rounds on Friday, injuring two individuals, while vehicles were set ablaze, roads blocked, and stones thrown at law enforcement in districts including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly. Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar emphasized that stringent measures would follow and cautioned against rumor-mongering.
The BJP has sharply criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, with MP Sudhanshu Trivedi labeling the protests a political maneuver. “The Waqf Bill underwent thorough constitutional processes, including Joint Parliamentary Committee review and approval by both Houses, yet it is being politicized, notably in West Bengal, raising concerns about Mamata Banerjee’s governance,” Trivedi remarked. Adhikari has called for an NIA investigation into the Murshidabad violence, describing it as a “premeditated assault by jihadist forces” on democracy. State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar accused the TMC of fostering unrest through appeasement, vowing swift action if his party assumes power.
Nationwide Protests and Legal Challenges
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) organized a peaceful protest in Jaipur’s Bhatta Basti area following Friday prayers, with Rajasthan AIMIM chief Jameel Khan asserting that the Act targets Muslim assets and marginalizes the community. “This is not reform but an agenda of exclusion,” Khan stated, announcing plans for a public awareness campaign to highlight its impact on minority rights.
The Congress party has vowed to contest the Act, deeming it a constitutional violation. Leader Swadesh Sharma argued, “This law mirrors the privatization of public sector units, now targeting donated lands for a select few.” Muslim organizations such as the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and Indian Union Muslim League are preparing legal challenges, while demonstrations persist across states. Congress MP Imran Masood condemned the violence but framed the issue as a defense of constitutional values, stating, “This is about safeguarding the Constitution, not a political agenda.”
The National Conference (NC), governing Jammu & Kashmir, filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on April 11, labeling the Act a “constitutionally alarming interference” in Muslim affairs. NC MLAs, acting on Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s directives, joined other petitioners, including AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, SDPI, AAP’s Amanatullah Khan, and various civil rights groups, with hearings scheduled for April 16 before Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s bench. Conversely, Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta filed a supportive intervention plea, arguing that the original 1995 Waqf Act prejudiced non-Muslims by misclassifying their properties.
Administrative Actions in Madhya Pradesh
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board chairman Sanwar Patel announced plans to issue notices to approximately 2,000 occupants of Waqf properties, stating, “Of the 15,008 properties in the state, most are occupied. We will demand vacation or legal tenancy, with action under the new law if unmet.” Patel accused Congress leaders, including a national president and AIMIM’s Owaisi, of occupying such assets, citing a Rs 7.11 crore Revenue Recovery Certificate against Congress leader Riyaz Khan.
This multifaceted controversy continues to unfold, with significant legal and political ramifications anticipated as the situation develops.
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