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Mamata Banerjee made a big charge at the BSF, alleging that it allowed the “outsiders” to enter West Bengal and execute “pre-planned riots” in the state during anti-Waqf Act protests.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI Image)
Dubbing the violent protests in Murshidabad against the Waqf Act “pre-planned communal riots”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the Border Security Force allowed those from “outside” to enter the state and create chaos.
Mamata was reacting to reports that the initial probe into the Murshidabad violence indicated the involvement of alleged Bangladeshi miscreants.
Her remarks came while addressing Muslim clerics, days after three people died in Murshidabad in anti-Waqf Act violence, while some people were also injured in violence in the South 24 Parganas district.
Mamata Accuses BJP Of Inciting People
Alleging that the Opposition BJP in the state was “inciting people”, Mamata claimed that attempts are being made to “defame” Bengal.
“Some people are defying the Constitution. Ambedkar made the Constitution. They have made this Constitution; we cannot say the BJP Constitution. What are you doing with the Constitution? You are inciting people. Some media will defame Bengal. They all do fake news,” she alleged.
The Chief Minister further urged the Muslims not to take the law into their own hands.
“We have high respect for Imam and Purohit. Don’t get excited by the BJP‘s words, don’t take the law into your hands, and please control. I do Durga Pujo, they say we don’t do. We have respect for all religions,” she said.
“I want to challenge and tell the Government of India – why were you so hurried about [Waqf Amendment]? Didn’t you know the situation in Bangladesh? Bengal shares a border with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Hold meetings with Yunus, have pacts and agreements. I will be happy if it brings good to the country. But what is their plan? To engage in riots by using certain agencies that facilitate movement of people from there? I saw a tweet yesterday quoting Home Ministry sources that Bangladesh is involved in this. If that is the case, the Central government is responsible since BSF guards the borders, not us. State government doesn’t have the responsibility to guard the borders. Why did they allow BJP thugs from outside to come and create chaos before fleeing the scene? It is a pre-planned riot,” Mamata alleged.
#WATCH | During her meeting with Muslim clerics, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says “Yesterday, I saw a tweet from ANI quoting the Home Ministry that Bangladesh is involved in this (Murshidabad violence). If this is true, the Central Govt is responsible for it. BSF takes care of… https://t.co/yEW3bqGqrB pic.twitter.com/ubcrMMuTVP— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2025
She asked the Muslims to protest in the national capital and seek an appointment from the President and the Prime Minister over the Waqf issue.
“Go to Delhi and do movement. Seek appointment from the President and PM. Do programmes in Delhi, stay there. Do your movement there. I assure you TMC MPs will be there,” she said.
BJP Slams Mamata
The BJP slammed Mamata for meeting Imams and said that Hindus were the victims of violence and the Chief Minister was meeting the Muslim clerics.
“Abusing the BSF, Central forces, uniformed forces, armed forces has become part and parcel of TMC’s culture. They abuse Army, CAPF, CRPF, NSG, NSA, NIA and all of the agencies and this has become their handbook. The Court has said that the central force should be deployed in Murshidabad because they have no faith in the Bengal Police, that it has become institutional for political violence since Mamata Banerjee has come into power…This is only being done to protect and defend the rioters because we know that this is state-sponsored violence, state-sponsored targetted attacks on Hindus are taking place,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.
A National Commission for Women delegation to visit violence-hit areas in West Bengal tomorrow. The team will visit the affected areas and meet the affected families. The commission would also provide relief and counselling to the victims, especially women. The Chairperson would visit such areas, including Murshidabad, officials said.
BJP Bengal Chief Reacts
Responding strongly to the Chief Minister’s accusations, BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar slammed Banerjee in a lengthy post on X and accused her of launching a deliberate campaign to discredit the BSF, saying that her remarks were a cover-up for her government’s failure to maintain law and order.
Your pampered and well protected “Shanti Vahini” (whenever anyone talks about them, you and your sycophantic ‘fact-checking specialists’ West Bengal Police @WBPolice start screaming “incitement”) — these very people have turned Murshidabad into a warzone over the past few days.… pic.twitter.com/DWIQPvJLnU— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) April 16, 2025
Majumdar wrote, “Is that why you’ve launched a full-blown campaign to deliberately malign the @BSF_India? The real reason is BSF’s swift and effective action. Your frustrated statements make it obvious — your entire strategy has collapsed once again!”
Majumdar further alleged that Banerjee’s silence during the attacks on BSF personnel exposed her political motivations. “That’s exactly why fundamentalist goons tried to attack the BSF with petrol bombs, and you and your so-called “fact-checking” WBP remained completely silent!,” he added.
