Mamata Banerjee Says Waqf Act Won’t Be Implemented in Bengal Amid Protests, Vandalism
Amid intensifying protests in Bengal’s Murshidabad district over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, CM Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government will not implement the contentious law in the state.
In a statement posted on X, the Chief Minister called for calm, urging people not to fall prey to political incitement. “Every human life is precious, do not incite riots for the sake of politics. We did not make the law. It was made by the central government. The answer must come from them,” Banerjee said.
She also warned of strict legal action against those inciting violence: “We do not condone any violent activity. Religion means humanity, harmony, and goodwill — not hate.”
BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of remaining silent amid widespread violence and chaos.
“The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening,” Adhikari said in a strongly worded post on X. “This was not a protest. It was a premeditated act of violence by elements trying to destabilise the state.”
He also tagged Home Minister Amit Shah and demanded immediate action, alleging that vote-bank politics was being prioritised over public safety.
Following reports of railway property being targeted in the protests, Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into incidents of vandalism in Murshidabad district.
“These deliberate attacks on railway stations are not mere protests but an assault on public infrastructure and national security,” he said.
West Bengal Police said over 110 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, particularly in Murshidabad’s Suti and Samserganj regions.
State Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said patrolling was intensified and Section 144 imposed in sensitive areas. “We are dealing with the situation very strongly. Hooliganism and destruction of government property will not be tolerated,” he said.
He added that one teenage boy, injured in alleged police firing, has been admitted to a Kolkata hospital.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act has triggered political and communal tensions in several states. Protesters, mostly from minority communities, claim the changes impact community-owned properties unfairly. The Centre has maintained that the law is meant to streamline administrative control and accountability in Waqf Boards.
The West Bengal government, led by the TMC, has opposed the law from the outset, citing it as “unconstitutional” and “disruptive”.
As tensions continue, the Bengal government is focusing on restoring order while distancing itself from the legislation. The Centre has not yet issued any formal response to the state’s refusal to implement the Act.
