The violent Murshidabad protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 have drawn significant attention both within West Bengal and nationally. In response to the violence that erupted on April 11, the West Bengal Police formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The SIT will be led by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Murshidabad range, with the primary aim of investigating the causes and culprits of the unrest. The violence led to three fatalities, several injuries, and widespread property damage, with local authorities quickly mobilizing to restore order and safety.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India expressed its concern regarding the violence in Murshidabad during its ongoing hearings on the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Act, which has stirred considerable controversy, was passed in Parliament and received Presidential assent earlier in April. The Act has been at the center of protests, especially in regions like Murshidabad, where the law’s provisions have sparked widespread anger and dissent.

On April 16, the Supreme Court hinted that it might issue an interim order to stay certain provisions of the Waqf Amendment Act in response to the escalating unrest. In particular, the court noted that it could consider staying provisions related to the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Councils and Boards, as well as those governing collectors’ powers over Waqf property disputes. The court’s remarks indicate the seriousness with which the constitutional challenges to the law are being examined.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a significant announcement on April 16, declaring a compensation package for the families of those who lost their lives in the Murshidabad violence. CM Banerjee stated that the families of the deceased would each receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation. Additionally, she mentioned that those whose homes were destroyed during the violence would be offered Banglar Bari, a state-sponsored housing scheme. For the victims whose shops were damaged, assessments would be carried out to help them recover.

In her address, CM Banerjee emphasized that her government did not consider the religious identity of the victims but rather their suffering. She also took the opportunity to criticize the BJP-led Central government over the Waqf Amendment, alleging that it was hurriedly passed without due consideration of the local situation, particularly in border areas like Bengal which share frontiers with Bangladesh. Banerjee accused the BJP of pushing a divisive agenda and stated that if the situation in Bangladesh was indeed affecting India’s internal security, the Central government was to blame for not securing the borders, given that the BSF (Border Security Force) is responsible for guarding the India-Bangladesh border.

The political landscape in West Bengal has become further polarized due to the violence. The BJP has sharply criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging that it has been supportive of the protests and accusing TMC MP Bapi Halder of making threatening remarks against those protesting the government’s handling of Waqf properties. The BJP’s stance has fueled further friction, with accusations that the TMC is trying to stir up trouble to serve its political interests.

CM Banerjee, meanwhile, urged for calm and reiterated her commitment to Sarva Dharma Samabhava (the equality of all religions), aligning herself with figures like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda in calling for peaceful coexistence. She further warned against any attempts to create unrest in Bengal by manipulating sensitive religious issues, particularly in light of BJP statements. Banerjee’s remarks are indicative of the broader tensions at play as the protests and the violence surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act continue to unfold.

The situation in Murshidabad remains volatile, and the SIT investigation will be crucial in determining the root causes of the violence, as well as identifying those responsible for the disturbance. The investigation will also likely reveal how the local and national political climate has influenced the protests, and whether the violence was a result of incitement or mismanagement. The future of the Waqf (Amendment) Act will also depend on Supreme Court’s verdict, which could have significant implications for the legal and political landscape surrounding religious rights and governance in India.

As the Supreme Court hearing continues and the SIT investigation progresses, all eyes will be on how the government, political leaders, and communities manage the sensitive issue of religious governance, property rights, and political unrest in the coming weeks.

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