Violent protests erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following the enactment of the Waqf Act, 2025, leading to multiple fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage. The Calcutta High Court has since directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and instructed the National Investigation Agency to assess whether the incidents warrant a central investigation.
The unrest began on April 8, coinciding with the Act’s implementation. Demonstrations, initially peaceful, escalated into violence in areas like Jangipur and Umarpur. Protesters blocked National Highway 12, set police vehicles ablaze, and disrupted train services at Nimtita railway station. Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement resulted in three deaths, including a minor, and injuries to over ten individuals. More than 200 people were arrested, and prohibitory orders were imposed in affected areas.
The Waqf Act, 2025, introduced significant changes to the 1995 Waqf Act, including permitting non-Muslims on waqf boards, restricting property donations, and altering the functioning of waqf tribunals. While the central government advocated for these reforms to enhance transparency, opposition parties and certain community groups challenged the Act’s constitutionality, leading to widespread protests.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violence and announced that the state would not implement the amended Act, emphasizing that it was a central government initiative. She appealed for peace and warned against political parties allegedly attempting to incite riots for political gain. Opposition leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, criticized the state government’s handling of the situation, calling for stringent legal action against those responsible for the unrest.
In response to the escalating violence, the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of CAPF in Murshidabad to restore normalcy. The court also directed the NIA to submit a report on the clashes, particularly focusing on allegations of bomb usage and other weapons during the incidents in Beldanga and Shaktipur on April 13 and 17. The NIA was instructed to determine whether the FIRs registered in connection with the clashes should be transferred to the central agency for investigation. The court scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 10.
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