KOLKATA, April 16 – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in West Bengal observed “Hindu Shahid Diwas” (Hindu Martyrs Day) on Wednesday, protesting near the state Assembly over recent communal clashes in Murshidabad that left three people dead, including two from the same Hindu family.
Led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLAs demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of failing to maintain law and order in the state. “A father-son duo was brutally murdered for being Hindus by jihadis,” Adhikari alleged, claiming that the violence stemmed from religious targeting and demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Violence broke out in Murshidabad’s Dhulian and Shamsherganj areas on April 11 and 12. Haragobind Das and Chandan Das, members of one family, were killed in mob violence, while 17-year-old Izaz Ahmed Sheikh died from bullet injuries sustained during police action. Banerjee announced ₹1 million in compensation to the families of each of the deceased. More than 220 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest, West Bengal Police said.
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar joined victims of the violence in a demonstration at Bhavani Bhavan, the West Bengal police headquarters, calling for accountability from law enforcement and alleging that instigators from within local communities were spared. “The mob was instigated by neighbours whose homes were left untouched,” he said. “We are still waiting to see the police’s preliminary inquiry report.”
Adhikari has approached the Calcutta High Court for permission to visit the violence-affected areas and reiterated his demand for a federal investigation.
The unrest has also drawn criticism from the opposition Congress. Senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the chief minister’s absence from the affected districts. “You are issuing statements from Kolkata, but haven’t visited Samserganj, Suti, Dhulian, or Jangipur,” he said after touring the riot-hit areas.
In response, Banerjee noted that the violence took place in the Malda Dakshin parliamentary constituency, represented by Congress MP Isha Khan Chowdhury, subtly shifting responsibility to the local leadership. Tensions remain high in the region, with political parties trading blame and civil society groups urging restraint amid calls for justice and accountability.
