Several areas in north Bengal’s Murshidabad district are tense in the aftermath of violence during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. Three people have been killed and 150 arrested in connection with the violence so far.
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, has alleged that more than 400 Hindus have been forced to flee their homes. “Religious persecution in Bengal is real. Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land,” he has said.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of central forces to keep the peace. The court yesterday said the situation is “grave and volatile”. “Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are at danger,” it said.
Politically, the violence over the Waqf Amendment Act comes as a big challenge for Mamata Banerjee, who is gearing up for an Assembly poll battle next year to clinch a fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister.
