Murshidabad riots pre-planned, fuelled by BJP, BSF: Mamata

 CM urges PM to rein in Shah; hits back at Yogi over his Waqf violence remark

PTI, KOLKATA, APRIL 16: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the recent communal violence in Murshidabad as "pre-planned" and accused a section of the BSF, central agencies under the MHA, and the BJP of fanning tension by allegedly facilitating cross-border influx from Bangladesh.

Addressing a meeting with Muslim religious leaders, Mamata urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to implement the "atrocious" Waqf (Amendment) Act, warning that it would divide the country, and requested him to rein in Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whom she accused of "harming the nation most for his own political agenda."

The TMC supremo claimed that despite the volatile situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, the Centre rushed through the Waqf (Amendment) Act and allowed illegal cross-border infiltration, both of which, she alleged, contributed to the unrest in Bengal. The Chief Minister alleged that a section of the BSF and certain central agencies under the Home Ministry played a "role in facilitating the violence" and ordered a probe into the role of the border guarding force.

"I came across news claiming the role of elements from across the border in Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BSF to guard the border? The BSF is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The state government does not guard the international border. The Central government can't evade responsibility. I will find out whom the BSF had financed in the border areas by paying money to local youths to pelt stones during the violence," she stated.

Mamata announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed the state chief secretary to initiate an inquiry into the BSF's actions.

"I would request the Prime Minister to keep a check on Amit Shah. He is harming the country most to serve his political interests. Why is he (Amit Shah) in such a hurry? He will never become the Prime Minister, and what will he do once Modiji leaves? The PM must see how his Home Minister is misusing Central agencies. PM Modi-ji must control him," she stated.

The Chief Minister further alleged that BJP-backed outsiders had entered West Bengal to instigate violence.

"Why were BJP goons from outside allowed to come and create chaos before fleeing the scene? Accountability must be fixed. They want to polarise and divide Hindus and Muslims. They want their jumla government. Don't divide the country, unite it instead," she said.

Mamata last week had announced that the Waqf Amendment Act wouldn't be implemented in Bengal. Calling the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act "atrocious" and "anti-federal," she questioned the urgency with which it was passed by the Centre and urged the PM not to implement it in its present form.

"I want to challenge and ask the Government of India: why the haste in pushing through the Waqf Amendment Act? Were you unaware of the tense situation in Bangladesh? Bengal shares borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Hold meetings with Muhammad Yunus, sign pacts and agreements. I will welcome anything that benefits the country. But what is your plan: sparking riots through certain agencies that allow cross-border movement?" she asked.

Mamata said if the Centre wanted to change the Waqf Act, it could have gone for a constitutional amendment. The Chief Minister firmly denied the Opposition's claim that the ruling Trinamool Congress was involved in the violence.

"If the TMC was behind this Waqf-related violence, as the opposition alleges, why were the homes of our party leaders attacked?" she asked. "No one has the right to forcibly take control of religious properties," the TMC leader added.

Mamata appealed to INDIA bloc parties to unitedly fight against the Waqf Act.

"I appeal to the INDIA alliance through you. Let's unite and fight this together with courage. This isn't just a personal issue; it will impact everyone. Today, they are targeting one group. Tomorrow, it could be another. After this, they are even talking about bringing in a Uniform Civil Code," she said.

Mamata claimed that the BJP's alleged attempts to incite violence during Ram Navami had failed and reiterated her commitment to maintaining communal harmony.

On Wednesday, the feisty TMC supremo hit back at her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath, calling him the "biggest Bhogi" (a materialistic person), in response to his criticism of the recent violence in Murshidabad.

Addressing a gathering of Imams and religious leaders at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here, she accused Adityanath of trying to divert attention from issues in his own state and criticised his handling of law and order, particularly during religious events.

"Yogi is saying big things. He is the biggest 'Bhogi'. How many people died in the Mahakumbh stampede? Did he publish the correct figures of how many people died? So many are killed in police encounters in Uttar Pradesh. He doesn't even allow peaceful rallies. In Bengal, people enjoy freedom," Mamata said.

Her comments came a day after the UP CM said "Bengal is burning" and accused the Chief Minister of maintaining silence over the violence, even referring to the protesters as "messengers of peace." Adityanath also said:

"Laton ke bhoot baaton se kahan mannewale hain" (Those who only respond to thrashing don't understand words), implying that strict action is the only way to handle rioters.