New Delhi [India]: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of shielding violence during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act and enabling “appeasement politics.”
Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that state-sponsored and targeted anti-Hindu violence has erupted in parts of West Bengal, especially Malda, Murshidabad, and Nadia, and blamed Mamata Banerjee for inaction and incitement.
“She is not just the Chief Minister but also the Home Minister. The police are silent because they are acting on her instructions,” Bhandari claimed.
He further accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of turning Bengal—once the land of Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore—into a “laboratory of appeasement.” He also referenced past incidents where Hindus had to approach courts to hold religious events like Ram Navami processions and Saraswati Puja.
Bhandari linked the violence to the recent SSC recruitment scam, saying the unrest was being used to divert attention from the government’s alleged failures.
State’s Response:
In contrast, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar confirmed unrest in Jangipur and warned of strong police action against “hooliganism.”
“We will not tolerate any kind of violence or destruction of government property. Section 163 is in effect in the affected areas,” Kumar said.
Mamata Banerjee’s Stand:
Mamata Banerjee clarified on social media that the Waqf Amendment Act is a Central law, not passed by the state government, and will not be implemented in West Bengal. She appealed for calm and asked people of all religions not to engage in “irreligious behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called for the imposition of Article 355 in affected districts, alleging “anarchy and lawlessness” by “radical mobs opposing the Constitution.”