Kolkata: Political tensions escalated further in West Bengal on Sunday, as senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari made a grave allegation, claiming that more than 400 members of the Hindu community had been “forced to abandon their homes” in the Dhulian area of Murshidabad district in the wake of violent unrest linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Adhikari directly held the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government responsible for the deteriorating law-and-order situation, accusing the ruling party of engaging in “appeasement politics” that he claimed has empowered radical elements to act with impunity.
In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Adhikari wrote:
“More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad, driven by fear of religiously driven bigots, were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda.”
Along with his post, Adhikari also shared a series of photographs and video clips allegedly showing displaced residents narrating the ordeal they faced as violence erupted in the region.
In one such video, a man claimed that his house was set ablaze by a mob while the police, instead of offering assistance, allegedly stood by or even retreated from the scene, leaving residents to fend for themselves.
A Plea for Protection Amid Escalating Tensions
Expressing grave concern over the unfolding humanitarian crisis, Adhikari issued an urgent appeal to both the security forces stationed in the area and the state government.
He specifically urged the Border Security Force (BSF), which has been deployed in Murshidabad following the outbreak of violence, along with district and state police, to ensure the safe return of those displaced and to secure their lives and properties from further harm.
In his strongly worded post, Adhikari added:
“I urge the Central Paramilitary Forces deployed in the District, the State Police, and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus and protect their lives from this jihadist terror. Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough.”
Violence Over Waqf Amendment Act Leaves District on Edge
The violence that Adhikari referenced began on Friday night when large-scale protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act spiraled into clashes and mob attacks in Murshidabad. As per the West Bengal Police, the chaos resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
In addition to the fatalities, several vehicles were torched, and properties were reportedly vandalized during the unrest.
Authorities have since asserted that the situation in the district has been brought “under control,” with heavy deployment of security forces, including state police, central paramilitary units, and BSF contingents, especially in sensitive pockets like Suti, Samsherganj, and Dhulian.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
The incident has fueled a fresh round of political sparring between the BJP and the TMC, with Adhikari framing the violence as a result of years of what he called “minority appeasement” by the state government — a charge the ruling party has frequently denied.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has maintained that it is fully committed to restoring peace and ensuring justice for all victims, regardless of their religious or political identity.
However, opposition leaders, including Adhikari, argue that the recurring patterns of violence are a clear sign of administrative failure and selective law enforcement.
As security forces continue their efforts to stabilize the district, concerns remain over the safety and rehabilitation of those displaced by the violence, with leaders on both sides calling for calm but sharpening their political rhetoric.