Mamata Banerjee Blames Central Agencies for Murshidabad Violence: Calls for Unity

Mamata Banerjee's Strong Stance on Communal Violence

In a recent address, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee labeled the recent communal unrest in Murshidabad as 'pre-planned'. She accused certain elements within the Border Security Force (BSF), central agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exacerbating tensions by allegedly enabling illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

During a meeting with Muslim leaders, Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, warning that its implementation could further divide the nation. She also called on him to rein in Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whom she accused of prioritizing his political ambitions over national interests.

Banerjee expressed concern that the Centre's swift passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, despite the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh, has contributed to the unrest in West Bengal. She alleged that certain BSF personnel and central agencies played a role in instigating the violence and announced an investigation into the BSF's actions.

She stated, 'Reports suggest that elements from across the border were involved in the Murshidabad unrest. The BSF is responsible for border security, and the central government cannot evade its accountability. I will uncover who the BSF funded to incite violence in these areas.'

In response to the violence, Banerjee declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and instructed the Chief Secretary to investigate the BSF's involvement.

She further criticized Amit Shah, questioning his urgency and intentions, stating, 'He is harming the country for his political gain. The Prime Minister must control him.'

Banerjee also alleged that outsiders backed by the BJP were inciting violence in West Bengal, stating, 'Why were BJP goons allowed to create chaos before escaping? They aim to polarize communities.'

Last week, she announced that the Waqf Amendment Act would not be enforced in Bengal, labeling it 'atrocious' and 'anti-federal'. She challenged the government's haste in passing the Act, questioning their awareness of the situation in Bangladesh.

Banerjee emphasized that if the Centre wished to amend the Waqf Act, it should pursue a constitutional amendment instead. She firmly rejected claims from the Opposition that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was involved in the violence, asking, 'If we were responsible, why were our leaders' homes attacked?'

She called for unity among the INDIA alliance parties to oppose the Waqf Act, stating, 'This is not just a personal issue; it affects everyone. Today, they target one group; tomorrow, it could be another.'

Reiterating her commitment to communal harmony, Banerjee noted that attempts by the BJP to incite violence during Ram Navami had failed, urging vigilance among the public. 'We will not allow anyone to divide Hindus and Muslims,' she asserted.