BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Claims Over 400 Hindus Have Fled Murshidabad; Blames TMC’s 'Appeasement Politics'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged on Sunday that more than 400 Hindus had been "forced to flee" their homes in Dhulian, located in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, following communal violence linked to the Waqf Act, which reportedly resulted in three fatalities.

Adhikari held West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress government accountable, accusing them of engaging in "appeasement politics" which, according to him, had "emboldened radical elements".

Photo Credit: PTI

"More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad driven by fear of religiously driven bigots were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda," he posted on X.

Accompanying the post were videos and images showing people purportedly displaced by the unrest.

One.in has not independently verified the authenticity of these claims.

In one of the videos, a man alleged that his home had been set ablaze, and that police present during the incident "did not do anything to help" and had "fled the scene".

Adhikari appealed for immediate intervention from central and state security forces. "I urge the Central Paramilitary Forces deployed in the District, the State Police and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus & protect their lives from this jihadist terror. Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough," he wrote.

Three individuals were allegedly killed on Friday night in Murshidabad amid mob violence associated with protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Several vehicles were also torched. According to police, the situation is currently under control.

Continuing his criticism of the state government, Adhikari said, "Religious persecution in Bengal is real. Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order."

In response to the unrest, the Border Security Force (BSF) deployed five companies to assist West Bengal police in restoring order.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, describing the violence as "state-sponsored, state-protected, and state-encouraged targeted violence against Hindus".

"Bengal is burning, and Mamata Banerjee's govt is completely responsible for this. This is state-sponsored, state-protected, state-encouraged targeted violence against Hindus. Hindus are being forced to migrate, and idols in temples are being demolished. We also saw how the saffron flag was taken down. This is happening in the land of Swami Vivekananda. We saw that Hindu houses are being set on fire, and selectively, their shops are being set on fire. The way Hindus are being harassed, Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed that she is still engaged in appeasement...," he said.

Inspector General of South Bengal Frontier, Karni Singh Shekhawat, remarked, "We have to work with them in this situation. The discussions were held on this only. We have sent our five companies to help the police. We are here to help the police, not for independent action. We will act according to the demands of the state police. We hope that peace will be restored here soon."

The BSF units were deployed after the Calcutta High Court directed the immediate intervention of central forces in response to the unrest.

The High Court has also requested detailed reports from both the West Bengal government and the Centre. The case is set for further hearing on April 17.