TMC’s Muslim municipal councillor’s involvement in Murshidabad violence : Hindus were targeted

Explanation by the enquiry committee set up by Kolkata High Court
113 houses face highest damage

Kolkata – A three-member fact-finding committee submitted its report to Kolkata High Court on the violence that broke out in Murshidabad district of Bengal on 11th and 12th April 2025. As per the report, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s municipal councillor Mehboob Alam was the main leader who directed the rioters and Hindus were the main target in this violence. The report highlighted the inaction and absence of the local Police during that period. The aggrieved victims contacted Police many times during the attack but no help was provided to Hindus. On 17.04.2025, a three-member panel was set up by Kolkata High Court consisting of a member each from National Human Rights Commission, Bengal Human Rights Commission and State Judicial Service were appointed. This committee has presented the report.

Other important points of this report

1. After namaz of Friday around 2.30 p.m. on 11.04.2025, Hindus were attacked and municipal councillor Mehboob Alam had accompanied the attackers. Betbona village faced the highest damage which included 113 houses.

2. The local Hindus’ shops and malls were targeted and there were incidents of arson and looting.

3. On 11.04.2025 and 12.04.2025, in Suti, Shamsherganj and Raghunathganj villages, many shops and houses were broken and set on fire.

4. More than 100 cases have been registered in this violence and 276 people have been arrested.

5. A special investigating team of the Bengal Police had arrested 16 people from Jharsuguda, Odisha.

More about the Murshidabad violence

1. Muslims form 70% population of Murshidabad district, the district in Bengal with the highest population of Muslims.

2. In December 2019, there were agitations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), during which railway stations and buses were targeted, railway tracks were damaged and there were incidents of arson.

3. At the time of Ram Navami of 2024, there was violence in Saktipur area in which more than 20 people had sustained injuries.

Another report was submitted by Bengal Governor fifteen days back

Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose had submitted a report to the Home Ministry on 04.05.2025 on Murshidabad violence which stated that fanaticism is a big peril for Bengal. The Governor has stated that Hindus are a minority in Murshidabad and Malda districts on the border of Bangladesh. He has described North Dinajpur as a sensitive district and instructed to set up stations of Central Forces on the border districts near Bangladesh. It was also suggested that the Union Government should consider all constitutional alternatives to maintain law and order in the State.

Editorial Perspective

Ban has to be imposed now on a Hindus’ blood-thirsty TMC. Bengal needs to be brought under President’s rule since it is moving on the path of Kashmir. Till arrangements are made for Hindus’ safety and expulsion of all Bangladeshi infiltrators, Bengal has to be taken over by the Union Government even if it leads to cancellation of State Legislative Assembly’s elections scheduled next year. Hindus across the country need to put pressure on the Union Government now.