Mamata attacks Bangladesh and BSF over Murshidabad violence: What is the motive behind the political drama?

Kolkata, 19 April 2025: The violence that erupted in protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 in Murshidabad district of West Bengal has created a political storm. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed Bangladeshi infiltrators and the Border Security Force (BSF) for the violence, which has deepened the controversy. Mamata made serious allegations against the BSF and the central government, but the BJP and the Union Home Ministry termed it as a failure of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Is this statement of Mamata a political strategy, or is there really an external conspiracy behind the violence? Let us understand this controversy with facts and intelligence inputs. 

Background of violence and Mamata's statement

Violence broke out in Murshidabad on 10-12 April 2025 in protest against the Waqf Act, in which three people died and more than 315 people were arrested. During the violence, police vehicles, shops, and government properties were torched and looted. The killing of a father-son duo in Jangipur made the incident more serious.

Addressing Muslim religious leaders and imams at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium on 16 April, Mamata said, "The Murshidabad violence was pre-planned. The Centre implemented the Waqf Act in a hurry despite instability in Bangladesh. The BSF did not stop infiltrators from across the border, leading to unrest in Bengal." She also criticised the Centre's policy of increasing the BSF's jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km and claimed that the Home Ministry was not sharing information about infiltration with the state. Mamata announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the three people killed in the violence and ordered an inquiry into the role of the BSF.

Bangladeshi connection: Intelligence reports claim

Preliminary investigations by intelligence agencies have indicated the involvement of Bangladeshi radical organisations, such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), in the Murshidabad violence. According to sources, these organisations carried out the violence with the help of local leaders. An intelligence report claimed that two members of ABT came to Murshidabad two months ago and planned a "big feast", with the Waqf Bill being made the trigger point. The Bengal Police also received inputs that Bangladeshi radical organisation SDPI and other groups were involved in the violence.

The central government deployed central forces (CRPF, RAF), including 9 companies of the BSF, and increased surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border after the violence. The Home Ministry sought a preliminary investigation report from the Bengal administration, which mentions the role of Bangladeshi miscreants.

Mamata's attack on BSF: Political strategy?

Mamata's accusation on BSF has become a topic of discussion in political circles. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari termed it an "anti-national statement" and said, "BSF is the pride of the country. This statement of Mamata shows her displeasure over curbing cow smuggling and human trafficking." Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused Mamata of appeasement politics and said, "She wants to make Bengal Bangladesh.

Mamata's statement was also criticized on social media. A user wrote on X, "Mamata is defaming the BSF, while her government failed to stop infiltration." BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said, "BSF controlled the situation in Murshidabad in a few hours, but Mamata's police kept sitting wearing bangles." 

Analysts believe that Mamata's statement may be an attempt to woo the minority vote bank ahead of the 2026 assembly elections (West Bengal Elections 2026). Mamata announced not to implement the Waqf Act in Bengal, which is constitutionally controversial despite being a central law passed by Parliament. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said, "This is a central law, it has to be implemented."

Impact of violence and migration

After the violence, about 500 Hindu families migrated from areas like Dhuliyan, Samserganj, and Jangipur in Murshidabad, out of which 550 people have taken shelter in a relief camp set up in a school in Malda. The affected families have demanded a BSF camp. Mamata's minister Firhad Hakim termed this migration as "transfer within Bengal", which the BJP called "insensitive". 

Investigation and Supreme Court's stance

The Bengal Police has formed a 9-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Murshidabad violence. Apart from this, lawyer Shashank Shekhar Jha filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored investigation, in which he claimed, "Waqf is an excuse, Hindus are the target." The BJP has demanded an NIA investigation into the matter.

The Supreme Court expressed concern over the violence during the hearing on the Waqf law and sought a response from the Center. The court said that such incidents will not be tolerated.