Kolkata:
A teenager boy was shot in the midst of security forces West BengalSaturday’s protests on change in Murshidabad district Waqf law – Which rule it rule how Muslim charitable qualities are administered – enter the second consecutive day. The boy is admitted to Kolkata Hospital.
There were also reports of a second gun injury – an unknown male – and an unwarded number of security personnel, who were allegedly ‘attacked’ by a mob of protesters, indicating using tear gas, a stick and four round firing.
Large scale violence – including Police vehicles set fire, railway track blockedAnd vandalism of property – Muslim -Bahul district was reported from Stuti and Samserganj in Bahul district.
Teams of Railway Police Force and Border Security Force were deployed.
Violence was also reported from Malda, South 24 Panthans and Hooghly districts.
BJP vs Trinmool on Waqf violence
The violence also triggered an predictive political slugfest, in which the BJP blamed it for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinumool Congress’s “appeasement politics”.
BJP’s Amit Malviya labeled the Chief Minister – who has appealed for peace – a “false” and claimed, “… he was the first to dissatisfied widely against Waqf amendments … he was actively provoked actively after a Friday prayer and provoked the violence sponsored.”
Mamta Banerjee is a liar. She was the first to widely dissatisfied the Waqf modification – even though the JPC and Parliament were still discussing the provisions to curb misuse and add security measures to the new law.
He actively provoked and sponsored violence,… https://t.co/bw7b7CLGWU pic.twitter.com/YDLFZZJJCCD
– Amit Malviya (@Amitmalviya) April 12, 2025
He slammed the Chief Minister, saying that she would not implement the law.
“The truth is that … any state government does not have the right to block the law passed by the Indian Parliament. Mamta Banerjee has no choice but to comply. She plays full responsibility for communal violence and the tragic loss of life,” she said.
Earlier, Ms. Banerjee “urged people of all religions () people () people, please remain calm” on X “.
“Do not engage in irreversible behavior in the name of religion. Every human life is valuable, provoke riots for politics …” he said in a post in Bengali.
Appeal to all
My only appeal to all people of all religions, please be calm, restrained. Do not behave in any non-cutting name in the name of religion. Every person’s life is valuable, do not riot in the interest of politics. Those who are rioting are harming the society.
Remember, this is …
– Mamta Banerjee (@MataOFFICIAL) April 12, 2025
The Chief Minister also said that it will not implement new laws in his state. “We have made our situation clear … we do not support this law. It will not be implemented in our state …,
He also warned of legal action against those who instigated the riots.
“Use of minimum force”, police
Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Shamim said that the police was not involved in the firing. He said that speculation was that BSF would be investigated.
“We are not triggered,” he said in response to the claims of police firing, saying that the “minimum force” was used to disperse the protesters and 118 had so far arrested.
He said, “We will take strong action against people involved in hooliganism and rumors. People who spread misinformation about the Waqf bill have to realize the reality (and) … Our strength is on the ground (already). This rumor is to be stopped,” he told reporters.
“Things are under control, but we have to be very cautious … and we need media cooperation. The public, media and police need to work together,” he said.
He also said that orders were imposed banning big meetings in some areas, and was called to cooperate with all sections of the society. “The situation is under control … everything was normal last night, but this morning was an unfortunate incident (gun injury) …”
Protest against new Waqf laws
Since protests against changes in Waqf laws, steam has been gathering since he was approved by Parliament. There were demonstrations in Kolkata last week.
The scene of the Bengal capital then showed a large crowd waving the national flag and took the poster saying that ‘we reject Waqf amendment’ and reject the ‘Waqf Bill’ at public meeting sites. Several protests were organized by the United Forum for Waqf protection.
Read | After the Waqf Bill, the huge opposition in Kolkata, Chennai clears Parliament
Protests took place in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Read | Protest against Waqf Bill in Manipur, House of BJP leader tortured
Violent protests took place in the Northeast last week; The house of Manipur BJP leader Oscar Ali was set on fire by a mob, allegedly to support the changed Waqf laws.
Parliament cleared the Waqf Amendment
The controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill was approved by Parliament last week – 30+ hours of bitter sneezing and fierce rhetoric between the ruling BJP and its allies and the opposition.
Read | Waqf Bill, after heated debate by Parliament, gets the President’s node
Trinamool was among those who were opposed to the amendments.
Amidst major changes, the modified Waqf law nominate the enrollment of two non-Muslim members and the Central Waqf Council. For this also, people donating to practice ‘Muslims’ at least five years ago need to certify themselves.
NDTV explains. Rules on 2 non-Muslims amid 14 changes in Waqf laws
These and many other concerns raised by the Muslims and the opposition, people who feared that the Center would capture the Waqf boards, was rejected by the Union Minority Affairs Minister Rijiju when he competed with the Waqf Bill in Parliament. He insisted that non-Muslims cannot interfere in Waqf Board matters, as its management, construction and beneficiaries will remain especially from the Muslim community.
Supreme Court will listen to 15 Petitions challenging new Waqf laws On 16 April.
With input from agencies
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