KKN Gurugram Desk | Kolkata, West Bengal: The aftermath of the violence that erupted in Murshidabad over the Waqf Amendment Act has revealed shocking details about the extent of the chaos and the failure of the state government to curb it. After the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Governor of West Bengal, CV Ananda Bose, visited the area, the victims of the violence shared their heart-wrenching stories. These personal accounts paint a bleak picture of the state’s inability to control the violence, forcing people to become refugees in their own land. The situation in Murshidabad highlights the breakdown of law and order under the leadership of the West Bengal government, raising serious questions about governance and accountability.
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Murshidabad Violence: The Brutality Unfolds
The violence in Murshidabad initially seemed to be a case of protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, but as more details have emerged, the scale of the violence and the brutality involved is beyond comprehension. The incident shocked the state and the nation, and the extent of the destruction is only now becoming fully apparent. Initially, reports about the violence did not do justice to the horror that took place, but after the National Commission for Women (NCW) and Governor CV Ananda Bose met with the victims, the true scale of the violence became evident.
What is even more shocking is that this violence took place in West Bengal, a state governed by a woman chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, for the past 14 years. The victims shared their experiences, and it became clear that the state government failed to prevent the violence, which resulted in citizens being displaced and forced to live in makeshift refugee camps.
The Role of the State Government and the Inaction of Law Enforcement
The TMC government led by Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly referred to the violence in Murshidabad as a “conspiracy”. However, the fact remains that if there was indeed a conspiracy, it was the responsibility of the state government to uncover it and take action to prevent the violence. Instead, the government failed to take timely action, allowing the violence to escalate. It is also evident that despite having been in power for over two decades, the government did not take effective measures to control the situation, even when the violence spiraled out of control.
The victims now face the consequences of this failure, with many being displaced from their homes and seeking refuge in temporary shelters. What is equally disturbing is the fact that victims of the violence are now asking for permanent security, especially from the Border Security Force (BSF), which indicates their lack of trust in the state’s ability to ensure their safety.
Governor CV Ananda Bose’s Visit to the Violence-Affected Areas
Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the violence-affected areas of Murshidabad, despite the state government’s attempts to advise him against meeting the victims. Ignoring the state government’s suggestion, Governor Bose spoke to the victims in the relief camps, and after interacting with them, he assured the public that their concerns would be raised with both the central and state governments.
In a statement to the media, Governor Bose said, “The victims want a secure environment, and they have other demands and suggestions, all of which will be considered. I will raise these issues with the Government of India and the state government for appropriate action. I’ve given them my contact number, and they can reach out to me anytime. Effective and active measures will certainly be taken.”
This visit and the governor’s interaction with the victims clearly showed the gravity of the situation and exposed the government’s failure to protect its citizens.
National Commission for Women (NCW) Condemns the Violence
On a parallel front, a delegation from the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by Chairperson Vijay Rahatkar, visited Murshidabad to listen to the victims’ stories. After speaking with the family members of the father and son who were killed in the violence, the NCW Chairperson was visibly moved by the severity of the situation. She expressed her shock and sorrow over the brutal treatment faced by the victims, saying, “They have so much pain… I am speechless… I don’t have words to describe their suffering. This is inhuman.”
NCW member Archana Majumdar, who was also part of the delegation, was deeply disturbed by the stories she heard. She said, “What we are seeing here is horrific. Some women have lost their husbands, others have lost their sons. They were dragged out of their homes and butchered like animals. This is unimaginable. I’ve never seen anything like this in West Bengal before. The government must take responsibility for these events.”
The NCW’s visit and the reactions of its members have brought the issue of state-sponsored violence, lack of law and order, and human rights violations into sharp focus.
The State Government’s Denial of Responsibility
Despite the overwhelming evidence of the violence, the Mamata Banerjee-led government has attempted to downplay the incident and shift the blame. Instead of accepting responsibility for the violence, the state government has tried to divert attention by blaming outsiders, particularly Bangladeshis, for the unrest. They also pointed fingers at the BSF and the central government, suggesting that the BSF’s presence was responsible for the violence.
However, this narrative has failed to gain credibility. The demand for permanent BSF security from the victims themselves is a clear indication that they no longer trust the state’s ability to safeguard their lives. The TMC government is unable to hide its failures and cannot escape the responsibility for the destruction caused by the violence.
Mamata Banerjee’s Inability to Handle the Crisis
It is clear that the TMC government, under Mamata Banerjee, failed to manage the situation in Murshidabad. This violence exposed the cracks in the governance system of West Bengal. While the government continued to make excuses and blame external factors, the real issue lies in the inability of the state machinery to act decisively and protect its citizens from violence. The rising communal tensions and lawlessness under the TMC regime have now reached a point where people are forced to flee their homes.
The government’s attempt to deny responsibility for the violence has been nothing short of shameful. The victims’ cries for justice and their calls for permanent security are clear indicators that the state is no longer a safe place for its people.
The Unbearable Stain of Violence on West Bengal
As the Murshidabad violence continues to reverberate throughout the state, the stain of communal violence and governmental failure will be difficult to wash away. For the first time, we are witnessing citizens of Bengal forced to live like refugees within their own state. This is a sad commentary on the state of governance under the TMC government.
Mamata Banerjee’s government cannot hide its failures any longer. The violence in Murshidabad has exposed the lack of law and order, the government’s unwillingness to act, and the failure to protect minorities. The stain of this riot will remain a deep scar on the governance of West Bengal for years to come.
The violence in Murshidabad, fueled by the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, has revealed the true face of the state government’s negligence and failure to protect its citizens. As the victims continue to demand justice, West Bengal is left grappling with the consequences of the TMC government’s inaction.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has rightfully called for accountability, and the state government must answer for its role in the violence that has torn apart communities and left families displaced and grieving. The road to justice for the victims of Murshidabad is long, but it is crucial that the government is held accountable for its actions, or rather, its inactions.
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