A wave of violent unrest swept across parts of West Bengal this week, as protests over alleged irregularities in Waqf land dealings escalated into riots that claimed three lives. The turmoil prompted swift judicial intervention, with the Calcutta High Court ordering the urgent deployment of central paramilitary forces throughout the state to prevent further bloodshed and ensure law and order ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The violence erupted in Bhangar (South 24 Parganas) and Chopra (North Dinajpur), where local communities had been rallying against what they claim is the illegal sale and leasing of Waqf properties—land meant to serve religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community. Protesters accused both political actors and Waqf board officials of colluding to misuse these lands for private profit.
On the day of the unrest, demonstrations began peacefully but quickly descended into chaos as protestors clashed with law enforcement. Police attempted to clear road blockades and disperse the crowd, but tensions ran high. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with tear gas, rubber bullets, and eventually live ammunition being used. In the melee, three individuals, including a youth leader and a local trader, were fatally shot. Several others sustained injuries, some critically.
News of the deaths triggered a second wave of protests and raised serious questions about the administration’s handling of the situation. Human rights groups and community leaders criticized the excessive use of force, while political parties across the spectrum demanded accountability.
The Calcutta High Court took immediate cognizance of the matter. In a strongly worded order, the court held the State Election Commission (SEC) responsible for failing to anticipate violence despite early warnings. The court directed the SEC to coordinate with the Union Home Ministry and ensure the deployment of central paramilitary forces in all 23 districts within 48 hours.
Additionally, the court ordered the SEC to:
- Submit a full list of all polling booths deemed “sensitive” or “vulnerable.”
- Guarantee the posting of central forces, not state police, in all such locations.
- Deploy a higher number of security personnel than in the 2013 panchayat elections.
- File a compliance report with the court within 72 hours.
The ruling was welcomed by opposition parties, who have long accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of using the Waqf Board for political ends. BJP leaders called for a CBI probe into Waqf dealings in the state, alleging a large-scale land scam. The TMC, while condemning the violence, accused “outside elements” of inciting riots and politicizing religious institutions for electoral gains.
Civil society organizations are now urging the government to digitize all Waqf records and bring transparency to the system, echoing concerns raised in other states across India. Legal experts have also called for a revamp of Waqf governance frameworks, including clearer regulatory oversight and greater public participation.
As central forces begin arriving in vulnerable districts, residents hope calm will be restored. But the deeper issues—land transparency, political accountability, and communal trust—remain unresolved. The coming weeks, especially with elections looming, will be a critical test for the state’s administrative and judicial systems.
