In the wake of deadly violence over Waqf land disputes, West Bengal finds itself at the center of national attention. Three civilians were killed during clashes between protestors and police, forcing the Calcutta High Court to take urgent action by ordering the deployment of central paramilitary forces statewide.
The protests broke out following allegations that Waqf properties—held in public trust for the benefit of the Muslim community—had been misused, misallocated, or illegally sold by those in power. The situation turned volatile when a group of demonstrators assembled in Bhangar and Chopra to voice their frustrations and demand action against corrupt Waqf board officials.
According to reports, local police units were underprepared to handle the scale of the protest. What began as a peaceful sit-in escalated as police attempted to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses claim that police used disproportionate force, including live rounds, to control the situation. In the mayhem, three protestors were killed, sparking further outrage and spontaneous demonstrations across other districts.
The Calcutta High Court, during a special hearing, reprimanded both the State Election Commission (SEC) and the local administration for failing to prevent the violence. The bench directed the SEC to arrange for the immediate deployment of central security forces in all 23 districts of the state, especially with the upcoming panchayat elections in view.
The court stressed that security forces must exceed the numbers used in the 2013 elections, noting the present situation was “extraordinarily volatile.” It also instructed that a detailed security blueprint be submitted to the court within 72 hours, including the locations of polling booths that have been marked as sensitive or vulnerable.
The state’s Chief Minister has condemned the violence and promised a full investigation. However, the opposition has accused the government of allowing political patronage to infiltrate religious institutions like the Waqf Board, leading to unchecked corruption. Human rights organizations have also called for a probe into the police response.
As central forces begin arriving in affected areas, many are hoping this will prevent further unrest. However, trust between the public and state institutions remains fractured, and the demand for comprehensive Waqf reforms continues to grow louder.
