Yogi blames instigators, mourns Hindus killed in Murshidabad.
Speaking in the context of recent communal clashes, he questioned how such large-scale land holdings have gone unchecked. Adityanath’s remarks seemed to imply a double standard in addressing issues related to land ownership and communal sensitivities in India.
‘Hindus Dragged Out, Killed; Violence Instigated Over Waqf Law’: Yogi Adityanath on Murshidabad Clashes
broke out over the Waqf Act. His remarks came amidst growing concerns over communal tensions in the Muslim-majority district, where several deaths have been reported following violent protests linked to the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Who are these victims? They are the same Dalits, the deprived, the poor people who stood to benefit the most from this land. It is very unfortunate that in our country, such violence is being instigated in response to a law meant to ensure fairness and justice.”
The Chief Minister expressed shock over what he described as the misuse and unchecked control of land in the name of Waqf. They (the occupiers) have no valid documents, no revenue records, and yet they have enjoyed illegal possession for years. Now, ever since the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed and action is being taken, there has been a concerted attempt to trigger unrest and create law and order issues,” Adityanath said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The violence in Murshidabad earlier this week claimed the lives of three individuals, including a father and son. The district, known for its communal sensitivity, has been on edge following protests against the recent amendments to the Waqf law. The unrest reportedly escalated when local authorities began identifying and taking action against what they called “unauthorised Waqf land holdings.”
The situation deteriorated quickly, prompting the Calcutta High Court to intervene. In a significant move, a special bench of the court ordered the immediate deployment of central paramilitary forces in Murshidabad to bring the situation under control.
BSF Deputy Inspector General Nilotpal Kumar Pandey provided an update on the ground situation on Sunday. Yesterday, many areas were in a highly tense state, but today, the situation has improved significantly. With continuous monitoring and cooperation from the local administration, we hope that peace and normalcy will be restored soon.”
Despite the deployment of central forces and appeals for calm, the communal undertones of the incident have triggered a wider political and social debate. Yogi Adityanath’s comments added fuel to the fire, as he questioned the silence of secular parties and civil rights groups over the killing of Dalits and Hindus in the region. He also hinted that political motivations were behind the protests and the violence that ensued.
“The beneficiaries of this land reform would have been the poorest of the poor—those who have historically been deprived of land ownership and security. But because the illegal occupants feel threatened now, they are orchestrating protests. It is a deliberate attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony,” Adityanath said.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, which was recently passed in Parliament, aims to bring greater transparency and accountability in Waqf land records and transactions. It also empowers the government to take action against encroachments and unauthorized transfers. However, critics of the law allege that it targets minority communities and could lead to large-scale evictions without adequate legal safeguards.
Protests against the Bill have taken place in various parts of West Bengal and some other states, but the violence in Murshidabad marked a grim escalation. Reports from the ground suggest that mobs clashed with police and set vehicles ablaze during confrontations. Several local residents have fled their homes fearing further violence.
The BJP, which has been trying to expand its influence in West Bengal, has used the incident to launch a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order. The state government, on the other hand, has blamed “outside forces” for inciting communal hatred and disturbing peace in the region.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations and human rights groups have urged all parties to avoid communal polarisation and focus on restoring peace. They have also called for an impartial inquiry into the killings and the role of various actors involved in the violence.
For now, the focus remains on de-escalation, healing communal wounds, and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
With the situation in Murshidabad still fragile, the political temperature around the issue shows no signs of cooling down. Yogi Adityanath’s sharp criticism and the state’s tense law-and-order climate indicate that the debate over land, religion, and governance is far from over.