BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused more than 400 Hindus from West Bengal’s Murshidabad district town Dhulian of being ‘driven out’ after violent strife connected to the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Adhikari blamed ‘religiously motivated bigots’ for causing the displacement, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of facilitating such by its ‘appeasement politics’.

On an X post, Adhikari had said, “Over 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad fearing religiously motivated bigots were compelled to evacuate en masse across the river & find refuge at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda.” He also posted photos and videos, although their validity couldn’t be verified independently by TDG.

Eyewitness Accounts

A man in the video posted by Adhikari said his home was torched and accused police of running away from the site rather than intervening. Asking for immediate protection, Adhikari asked the BSF, district police, and administration to move in. “I request the Central Paramilitary Forces stationed in the District, the State Police and district administration to facilitate the safe return of these Hindus displaced & safeguard their lives from this jihad terror. Bengal is on fire. The social fabric is disintegrating. Enough is enough,” he tweeted.

Aftermath of the Waqf Protest

Three individuals lost their lives in the violence on Friday evening, according to West Bengal Police. Some cars were set ablaze, and the situation has been reportedly controlled. The trouble was caused by protests against the Waqf Act, which led to tensions within the district.

TMC’s Role Under Scrutiny

Adhikari severely condemned the Mamata Banerjee government, stating, “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! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order.”

BJP’s Spokesperson Accuses TMC

Echoing Adhikari’s sentiments, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the TMC government of facilitating communal violence. “This is state-sponsored, state-protected, State-encouraged targeted violence against Hindus,” he said. He also claimed that temples were vandalized, idols demolished, and saffron flags removed. “Hindus are being forced to migrate. Hindu houses are being set on fire… Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed that she is still engaged in appeasement,” he added.

Legal Intervention

The Calcutta High Court issued the directive to deploy central forces immediately in response to the unrest. IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat has confirmed sending five BSF companies to support state police. “We are here to assist the police, not for independent action,” Shekhawat stated. “We expect peace to return here soon.”

The court also asked the state and central governments to file detailed reports on the condition, and the next hearing was set for April 17.