Recent events in Murshidabad can be divided into two stages. Until Friday, protests were primarily against Waqf modification. But from Saturday, the events took to a communal color.
So, why violence spread in some parts? Let us first look at the big opposition-wakef protests in West Bengal.
Waqf amendment protests in West Bengal began in a similar way, in which TMC Minister Siddicullah Chaudhary emerges as a political face and bring various socio-religious and political groups together. Chaudhary and the groups under him organized a large rally in Kolkata, which instigated the controversy after a viral video, allegedly shown a bus driver forcing a bus driver to remove the flag of Hindu deity Hanuman from the bus. In response, Saffron Camp launched a campaign to display RAM and Hanuman flags on buses and taxis across the state.
It is now coming to Murshidabad, with about 66 percent of the Muslim population.
Like the rest of the state, protests against Waqf amendment in Murshidabad were called by organizations that enjoy the support of Siddicullah Chaudhary. These included groups such as small but locally influential parties such as Zameet Ulema-e-Hind, various Imam-Mozin groups, and SDPI and Welfare Party.
On Sunday, several Imam-Muzin organizations in Murshidabad along with DGP Rajiv Kumar demanded that the government should give priority to reconstruct the encroached Waqf properties.
Nurul Islam, a leader of a Samserganj Imam-Mozin Organization, told The Quint“Those who are enjoying valuable Waqf properties in crores for Rs 100 should be identified and properties should be legally claimed from them.” His organization also called for protesting against the Waqf Bill.
State Secretary of one of the organizations, one of the protests, State Secretary Abdur Razak said, “Murshidabad has many Waqf properties, most of which have been encroached. Whatever has been in power, he has exploited these assets. The state government should work to regain and ensure proper maintenance.”
State Secretary of another organization Nizamuddin claimed, “Murshidabad has about one lakh acres of Waqf land. Where is the government to recreate them? If the government does not show honesty, public anger will only increase.” Thus, the issue cannot be seen in terms of national protest against the Waqf modification – local factors are also in sports.
TMC MP from Jungipur, Khalilur Rahman, who is a member of the Waqf Board, said:
