Yusuf Pathan's absence after Murshidabad violence draws ire from within Trinamool

Violence erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, leading to widespread unrest and the displacement of several residents.

Abu Taher Khan, Murshidabad’s MP, told The Indian Express that Yusuf Pathan’s absence gives out the wrong message. “He (Yusuf Pathan) is an outsider and is new to politics. He chose to stay away so far. But this gives a wrong message to the people. Our MPs, MLAs and even booth workers are on the ground, reaching out to people,” he said.

In response, the Calcutta high court has formed a three-member committee to oversee the rehabilitation of those affected, while West Bengal governor CV Anand Bose is scheduled to visit the violence-hit areas on Friday. Amid the turmoil, one notable absentee has been Yusuf Pathan — the cricketer-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress MP from the Baharampur constituency — whose silence and absence have drawn attention.West Bengal’s Murshidabad district has three Lok Sabha constituencies - Jangipur, Murshidabad, and Baharampur - all three of which are represented by Trinamool Congress MPs Khalilur Rahaman, Abu Taher Khan, and Yusuf Pathan, respectively.

The violence, which erupted on April 11, has largely affected areas in the Jangipur constituency’s Suti, Samserganj, and Dhulian areas. While Yusuf Pathan’s constituency has not directly witnessed any violence, the area is not far away from trouble-torn pockets. Thus, his absence has irked many, not just in the Opposition but also in TMC.

Another TMC leader and an MLA from Bharatpur, Humayun Kabir, also expressed disappointment at Pathan for not being present with people at such times. While speaking with The Indian Express, Kabir said that Pathan acted according to his whims and fancy. “He is a renowned cricketer who lives in Gujarat. He defeated (Congress leader) Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha elections by the people’s votes. This gentleman is now playing games with voters. He is behaving as per his whims and fancy,” he said.