West Bengal has been thrown into a state of heightened tension following deadly clashes over alleged irregularities in Waqf property management, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The protests, which began as peaceful gatherings in regions such as Bhangar and Chopra, quickly turned violent, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order the immediate deployment of central paramilitary forces across the state.
The protests were ignited by long-standing allegations of mismanagement and corruption within the state’s Waqf Board. Community members, particularly from the Muslim population, accused authorities of illegally selling and leasing Waqf lands—properties traditionally set aside for religious or charitable use. Protesters said their demands for transparency had been ignored for years.
On the day of the protests, demonstrators reportedly blocked roads, shouted slogans, and surrounded local administrative offices. Violence erupted when police attempted to disperse the crowd. What followed was a series of confrontations marked by tear gas, baton charges, and eventually, the use of firearms. In the resulting chaos, three people lost their lives, including a 17-year-old boy and a local shopkeeper. Several others were hospitalized with serious injuries.
In an emergency response, the Calcutta High Court issued a directive to the State Election Commission (SEC), ordering the deployment of central forces to all districts within 48 hours. The order mandated that more security personnel be deployed than in previous election cycles, particularly in vulnerable and communally sensitive regions.
The court criticized the SEC for its delay in acting on intelligence inputs and warned of legal consequences should its orders be ignored. The court also directed the SEC to publish a list of sensitive polling booths and ensure that central forces—not just state police—are stationed there.
Political reactions have been swift and pointed. Opposition leaders condemned the state government for allowing the situation to deteriorate, while the ruling Trinamool Congress blamed “external provocateurs” for the violence. Amid the political finger-pointing, local residents have called for justice, transparency, and lasting reforms to the Waqf land administration system.
