Three Dead in Murshidabad Amid Protests Against Anti-Waqf Act

Three people were killed in Murshidabad district of West Bengal's after violent clashes in connection with continuous protests against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the police said on Saturday. 

118 individuals have been arrested in relation to the violence erupted in Muslim-dominant Murshidabad district on Friday. 

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that her state would not adopt the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

"We have declared our stance on this issue - we are opposed to this legislation. This law will not see the light of day in our state. Then what is this riot all about?" she asked in an X post.

Her Facebook post is timed when many pockets of the state, particularly in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district, have been in the boil for the past few days following the protests against the Waqf Act.

The Chief Minister has made an appeal for peace and harmony, emphasizing that the law was passed by the central government. Ms Banerjee warned against political exploitation of religion and threatened legal action against riot-mongers.

"Recall, we had not enacted the law which many are protesting. The law was enacted by the central government. Therefore the response you seek should be asked of the central government," the Chief Minister further stated.

Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, also appealed for restraint and asserted that certain forces are attempting to "spread unrest in Bengal".

"Having not fought us politically over the development issue, the large number is now attempting to cause unrest in Bengal by plowing fields for dissent in terms of religion. I urge one and all to ensure peace today and keep up the tradition of Bengal's tolerance. We are all on alert and vigilant. Bengal should not burn," told the MP for Diamond Harbour.

Some cars, such as police vans, were burned, stones were hurled at security personnel, and roads were barricaded as clashes broke out in Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts yesterday while protesting against the new act. 

State police Director General Rajeev Kumar warned the protesters that the state police would not allow anyone to disturb law and order under the guise of the protests.

West Bengal State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar requested the Trinamool regime to implement strictly the rule of law in Murshidabad.

Asserting that when the BJP takes office in West Bengal, "such vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes", he charged that the "appeasement-driven state administration was not taking proper steps".

Mr Majumdar alleged that the violence could have been pre-planned to deflect attention from the spontaneous protests against the Supreme Court's ruling nullifying the employment of 26,000 school teachers.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi has accused the BJP of the violence, alleging that the unrest in Murshidabad was a direct result of the Centre's alleged interference in religious affairs.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was approved in both Houses and was subsequently signed into law by the President. President Droupadi Murmu signed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on April 5.

While the Opposition protested against the Waqf Act, the BJP has initiated a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign' from April 20 to May 5. The campaign will inform the Muslim community about the advantages of the Waqf Act.