• Home
  • Politics
  • Anti-Waqf Law Protest Turns Violent Near Kolkata; Police Vehicles Burned, Clashes Break Out

Anti-Waqf Law Protest Turns Violent Near Kolkata; Police Vehicles Burned, Clashes Break Out

The police resorted to lathi charges to divide the crowd at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, and a mob burnt five motorcycles and a vehicle.

Anti-Waqf Law Protest Turns Violent Near Kolkata; Police Vehicles Burned, Clashes Break Out

A demonstration against Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district, where workers of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and police forces clashed. The clash led to five motorcycles and a van belonging to police being burnt, forcing the law enforcement agency to use baton charges to disperse the protesters.


The disturbances started when ISF supporters tried to march towards Ramlila Maidan in the heart of Kolkata for a rally organized by Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique. Police stopped the procession at Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, claiming the protests were not sanctioned properly. Demonstrations escalated when demonstrators tried to push aside police barricades, and violent clashes occurred.

 

Several police officers were injured, and one ISF worker sustained a head injury in the altercation. Traffic was greatly disrupted on the highway due to the chaos. In his speech during the rally, Siddique condemned the Waqf (Amendment) Act, terming it an attack on the Muslim community as well as the Indian Constitution. He demanded the Act be withdrawn and accused the government of backing such a bill. Replying to this, Canning Purba TMC MLA Showkat Mollah rejected the ISF as a "party of no account" and charged Siddique with trying to bring unrest to the state.


At the same time, tensions continued in the Jafrabad locality of Murshidabad, following earlier episodes of violence over the same Act. The district had just seen four days of intermittent violence, leaving residents with three persons dead, including a man and his son. Though the situation was being brought under control, ongoing media reports of stone-pelting by miscreants hinted at a continuing aura of unrest.


The Waqf (Amendment) Act, enacted on 4th April 2025, has been controversial with critics claiming that it dilutes the independence of Waqf boards and takes away the rights of the Muslim community. Enforcement of the Act has resulted in protests in different parts of the country that are an expression of deep-rooted apprehensions about its impact


PM Modi, Dr Yunus exchange Eid greetings

PM Modi, Dr Yunus exchange Eid greetings

Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his considerate message, cordial greetings, and warm wi...
Rohingyas’ bumpy return journey to Myanmar

Rohingyas’ bumpy return journey to Myanmar

Shortly after the Pahalgam incident on April 22, a significant surge of popular fury erupted through...
When Bangladesh opposes India’s push back policy

When Bangladesh opposes India’s push back policy

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma brought the issue to public notice, stating that the govern...
PM Modi Embarks on 4-State Tour, Inaugurates ₹70,000 Crore Initiatives in Sikkim, Bengal, Bihar & UP

PM Modi Embarks on 4-State Tour, Inaugurates ₹70,000 Crore Initiatives in Sikkim, Bengal, Bihar & UP

While opening a City Gas Distribution network in West Bengal, Patna's new airport terminal was i...
Terror Hits Pahalgam: Terrorists Target Tourists, Several Killed and Wounded in Kashmir

Terror Hits Pahalgam: Terrorists Target Tourists, Several Killed and Wounded in Kashmir

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, saying India's...
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Named in ED Chargesheet Over ₹2,000 Crore National Herald Case

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Named in ED Chargesheet Over ₹2,000 Crore National Herald Case

The Enforcement Directorate has sought that the accused be penalized under Section 4 of the PMLA, wh...
Meet IAS Reena Baba Saheb Kangale: The first Woman CEO of Chhattisgarh

Meet IAS Reena Baba Saheb Kangale: The first Woman CEO of Chhattisgarh

Reena Babasaheb Kangale has successfully conducted the 2024 Lok Sabha Election in the Naxal-affected...
Mamata Banerjee Criticises Centre For Spiking Medicines, TMC to Protest on April 4-5

Mamata Banerjee Criticises Centre For Spiking Medicines, TMC to Protest on April 4-5

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the rise in prices of drugs and GST on health insura...
West Bengal Court Serves Arrest Warrant Against Ex-BJP MP Arjun Singh

West Bengal Court Serves Arrest Warrant Against Ex-BJP MP Arjun Singh

Former BJP MP Arjun Singh was booked on March 2 for firing at a couple of TMC workers in North 24 Pa...
AIMPLB Appeals to Secular Parties to Oppose Waqf Bill, Quotes Threat to Muslim Properties

AIMPLB Appeals to Secular Parties to Oppose Waqf Bill, Quotes Threat to Muslim Properties

On Thursday, the Lok Sabha will discuss and pass the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.  ...