Murshidabad Violence Over Waqf Law Amendment: Clashes Erupt, Internet Suspended

Bengal : Tensions escalated in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday as violent protests broke out against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, prompting authorities to suspend internet services to control the situation. The district, which has a significant Muslim population, witnessed intense demonstrations that quickly turned violent with incidents of stone-pelting on police and arson involving police vehicles.

The protestors, angered by the recent changes proposed in the Waqf law, took to the streets demanding the rollback of the amendment. The demonstration, which initially began as a peaceful rally, soon spiraled out of control as confrontations erupted between protestors and law enforcement. Eyewitnesses reported heavy stone-pelting targeting security personnel and public property. Several police vehicles were set ablaze, further aggravating the atmosphere.

According to officials, the violence began in the early afternoon hours and intensified as protestors blocked roads and raised slogans condemning the central government. In response, the local administration deployed additional police forces and implemented a precautionary internet ban in affected areas of Murshidabad to prevent the spread of rumors and inflammatory content via social media.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has sparked outrage in some sections of the Muslim community, is being perceived by protestors as an infringement on religious property rights and autonomy of Waqf boards. The protesters argue that the amendment could lead to government overreach and misuse of Waqf properties, which are traditionally meant for charitable and religious purposes within the Muslim community.

Senior police officials have confirmed that efforts are underway to restore peace in the area. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have appealed to the public to maintain calm and not fall for misinformation. No casualties have been officially reported so far, though minor injuries to both civilians and police have been noted.

Political parties in West Bengal have reacted sharply to the incident, with some blaming the central government for enacting controversial laws without community consultation, while others have condemned the violence and appealed for peaceful dialogue.

The state government has promised a thorough investigation into the events and assured that those responsible for inciting violence will face legal consequences. As the situation remains tense, security has been heightened in other sensitive areas to prevent the unrest from spreading.