'Hindus fleeing in boats, Bengal is burning': Suvendu Adhikari as Waqf protests turn violent in Murshidabad

A torched vehicle during a protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad.

Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, has requested for urgent deployment of Central paramilitary forces, highlighting the worsening law and order situation in parts of the state.

In a pointed social media post on X, 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. Religious persecution in Bengal is real."

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.Religious persecution in Bengal is real.Appeasement politics of pic.twitter.com/gZFuanOT4N Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 13, 2025

"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 & protect their lives from this jihadist terror," expressed the senior BJP leader on X.

Pointing at the complete failure of the state government to stem the spiraling violence against Hindus, Adhikari added, "Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order."

At least three people have been killed and 150 arrested after violence broke out in Murshidabad on Friday over the new Waqf Act. Among the dead, a father and son were hacked to death by a mob on Saturday, while another protester succumbed to bullet wounds.

On Saturday, BSF confirmed that five of its companies had been sent to support the police in controlling the situation, as per a report by ANI. The decision to deploy the BSF occurred quickly after the Calcutta High Court ordered immediate intervention by Central forces. Amid escalating unrest in Murshidabad, a special bench of the court has ordered this directive. As per the latest report, at least three people have lost their lives during the ongoing clashes related to the new Waqf law.

The court decision has been welcomed by the West Bengal Governor, C. V. Ananda Bose. He shared his concern related to deteriorating law and order.  "I am glad the High Court stepped in and made the right call”, he stated.

The court’s order came after a petition was filed by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. His advocate, Anish Mukherjee, highlighted in court that the violence has been growing without being checked, especially in Murshidabad.

The High Court has also ordered both the state and central governments to submit a detailed report related to the violence. The case will be taken up for further hearing on April 17.

The unrest has originated from the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into effect on April 8. The Act was approved in the Upper House and received 128 votes in favour, and 95 were against it. Protestors have turned violent in parts of the state.