1. Overview
The 2025 Murshidabad violence, occurring between April 8–13, 2025, was a politically charged communal conflict triggered by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The unrest resulted in 3 deaths, 274+ arrests, and the displacement of over 400 individuals, primarily Hindus fleeing to Malda district. The incident unfolded in a context of deepening Hindu-Muslim polarization in West Bengal, exacerbated by electoral politics, economic marginalization, and allegations of cross-border radicalization. This report synthesizes the key dimensions of the violence, its legal and political ramifications, and its implications for governance and communal relations in India.
2. Key Incidents and Casualties
| Date | Event | Location | Casualties/Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 8 | Protesters blocked NH12 at Umarpur; police vehicles set ablaze. | Umarpur, Murshidabad | No immediate casualties reported. |
| April 11 | Attacks on MP Khalilur Rahaman’s office; police jeep torched. | Suti, Murshidabad | Train services disrupted at Nimtita railway station. |
| April 12 | Mob attack killed Hargobind Das (Hindu) and son Chandan Das; | Jafrabad, Murshidabad | Izaz Ahmed Sheikh (17-year-old Muslim) died from gunshot wounds. |
| 400+ displaced to Malda district via ferries. | Kanchantala/Sadar ghats | Victims described as “refugees in their own land.” | |
| April 17–18 | Escalation in Jangipur and Murshidabad; clashes during Governor’s visit. | Jangipur, Malda refugee camps | Continued instability despite BSF deployment. |
Total Casualties:
- Deaths: 3 (2 Hindus, 1 Muslim minor).
- Injuries: 10+.
- Arrests: 274+ (60 FIRs filed).
3. Political Dimensions
The violence exposed stark political divisions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both parties leveraging the crisis to consolidate their voter bases.
TMC’s Response:
- Mamata Banerjee condemned violence but refused to implement the Waqf Act in West Bengal, offering ₹10 lakh compensation to victims.
- Accused BJP of instigating riots to polarize voters ahead of the 2026 state elections.
- Shifted blame to Bangladesh, claiming “miscreants” from across the border were involved, despite no evidence.
BJP’s Response:
- Sukanta Majumdar (WB BJP chief) accused TMC of creating a “Bangladesh-like situation” and failing to protect Hindus.
- Suvendu Adhikari (LoP) framed the violence as a “premeditated act by jihadist forces,” amplifying Hindu victimhood narratives.
- Organized protests in Balurghat, with BJP-aligned NCW members conducting fact-finding missions.
Cross-Border Allegations:
- TMC’s Claims: Mamata Banerjee accused Bangladesh of involvement, citing “psychological warfare” since Bangladesh’s August 2024 government change.
- Bangladesh’s Denial: Foreign Ministry rejected accusations, urging India to focus on minority rights.
- Indian Government: MHA investigations cited “Bangladeshi miscreants” but provided no concrete evidence.
4. Legal and Administrative Responses
- Calcutta High Court:
- Ordered deployment of BSF and central forces on April 12.
- Directed the state government to submit a status report on law and order.
- State Measures:
- Imposed Section 144 CrPC (prohibitory orders) and suspended internet services.
- Deployed 17 CAPF companies in Suti and Samsherganj-Dhulian areas.
- NCW Involvement:
- Formed a probe panel; documented severe trauma among displaced women.
- BJP-aligned members faced accusations of politicization from TMC.
5. Socio-Economic Context
- Economic Marginalization:
- Murshidabad’s GDP per capita is 46% below West Bengal’s average, with 34% of women employed in TMC-controlled beedi factories.
- Porous Bangladesh border facilitates smuggling, radicalization, and refugee influx.
- Communal Targeting:
- Hindu-owned businesses (e.g., Bhakat Distributors, Bharati Medical) selectively looted.
- Displacement patterns showed Hindus fleeing to Malda/Jharkhand, while Muslims faced arrests (e.g., Kokhan/Milan Sheikh).
- Historical Precedents:
- Echoes of 2016 Dhulagarh riots and 1964 Calcutta violence, with Ram Navami processions merging with Waqf Act protests.
6. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025: Provisions and Controversies
The Act, passed by Parliament on April 3–4, 2025, sparked protests due to its perceived infringement on Muslim rights:
| Provision | Impact |
|---|---|
| Section 3E**: | Prohibits declaring tribal lands as waqf, risking Muslim tribal rights. |
| Ownership Rules**: | Requires 5-year Islamic practice certification for waqf dedications. |
| Centralized Control**: | Transfers waqf governance to district collectors and non-Muslim members. |
| Digital Registration**: | Mandates re-registration of all waqf properties on a national portal. |
Legal Challenges:
- Violates Articles 14, 15, 25–26 (equality, religious freedom).
- Contradicts Article 246(3) (state jurisdiction over religious endowments).
7. Electoral Implications
- BJP’s Strategy:
- Leverages Hindu polarization, shifting from “Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai” to “Hindu Hindu Bhai Bhai” rhetoric.
- Targets Murshidabad (66.27% Muslim) and Malda to erode TMC’s Muslim voter base (27% of state population).
- TMC’s Countermeasures:
- Offers welfare schemes (e.g., Lakshmi Bhandar) to retain Muslim support.
- Accuses BJP of “riot engineering” to destabilize governance.
- Historical Context:
- BJP’s 2019 Lok Sabha gains (18/42 seats) were fueled by communal polarization.
- 2026 elections may see further fragmentation as TMC’s rural networks face Hindu distrust.
8. Conclusion
The 2025 Murshidabad violence underscores the destabilizing role of communal polarization in Indian democracy, amplified by electoral politics and governance failures. Key insights include:
- Political Exploitation: Both TMC and BJP instrumentalized the crisis to consolidate vote banks, with BJP framing it as Hindu victimhood and TMC deflecting blame to Bangladesh.
- Legal Vulnerabilities: The Waqf Act’s provisions risk alienating Muslim communities and centralizing control over religious assets, violating constitutional principles.
- Economic Roots: Marginalization in Murshidabad’s beedi industry and cross-border issues exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic tensions.
- Electoral Uncertainty: The violence may deepen Hindu-Muslim divides, reshaping the 2026 election landscape.
***Here are some YouTube channels discussing the 2025 Murshidabad Violence and its socio-political context***:
- Murshidabad violence, National Herald case, Trump targets Harvard – Discusses the violence and its implications.
- Murshidabad Violence | Biggest Stories Of April 18th – Covers reports on the violence and related issues.
- Has CM Mamata Banerjee Failed to Curb Political Unrest in West Bengal? – Analyzes the political response to the violence.