Murshidabad Unrest: Hindus women forced to naked , 345 Hindus were displaced

Murshidabad Unrest: Unveiling the Communal Violence, Targeted Attacks on Hindus, and the Trauma of Women in West Bengal

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Murshidabad, West Bengal – The district of Murshidabad in West Bengal was gripped by a wave of intense communal violence in April 2025, leaving a trail of destruction, displacement, and profound human suffering. What began as protests against a new law, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, quickly spiraled into targeted attacks, particularly affecting Hindu communities, and raising serious questions about governance and safety in the region.

SIT Report

"The Islamists have burnt all the clothes in the house with the kerosene oil and the woman of the house had no clothes to cover her body."

The Spark: Protests Turn Violent

The unrest ignited between April 8 and April 13, 2025, sparked by demonstrations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Protesters voiced concerns that the new law would negatively impact property rights and religious institutions.

Fatalities3 (Hargobind Das, Chandan Das, Izaz Ahmed Sheikh)
Injuries   Over 10 individualsDisplaced IndividualsOver 400 people (including women and children);

 specifically 87 families / 345 individualsHouses Damaged88 fully damaged, 162 partly damagedShops Damaged53 fully damaged, 64 partly damagedTotal Affected People1320 individualsArrestsOver 274

 individuals; some reports indicate over 307FIRs
Lodged60 First Information Reports; some reports indicate over 122

However, these protests rapidly escalated beyond peaceful dissent. On April 8, National Highway 12 at Umarpur was blocked, police vehicles were set on fire, and train services were disrupted at Nimtita railway station, with stones pelted at a stationary train. The violence spread quickly to areas like Jangipur, Umarpur, Samserganj, Suti-I, and Suti-II. Beyond road and rail blockades, the unrest included attacks on a local Member of Parliament's office, widespread looting of shops, and arson, causing significant damage to public and private property. This swift and organized escalation, rather than a gradual one, suggests a coordinated effort beyond spontaneous outrage.    

In an attempt to regain control, the West Bengal government deployed additional police and temporarily suspended internet services in parts of the district to prevent the spread of misinformation. Section 144, which restricts public gatherings, was also imposed.   

Targeted Attacks: A Pattern of Premeditation

Multiple investigations and reports strongly indicate that the Murshidabad violence was not random but a series of targeted acts. A fact-finding team concluded the violence was "orchestrated as well as targeted communities." An investigation by India Today, supported by a Calcutta High Court-appointed committee, described a "troubling ecosystem of silence and complicity," stating the riots were "an assault on a specific community."    

The human cost was tragic, with at least three fatalities. On April 12, Hargobind Das and his son Chandan Das were brutally killed when a mob attacked their home. According to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, "The Islamists broke down the main door, dragged out Chandan Das and Hargobind Das, and struck them with an axe in the back; a man reportedly stood guard until they died." A 17-year-old, Izaz Ahmed Sheikh, also died after being shot during the unrest.    

Property destruction was extensive: a police report detailed 88 fully damaged houses, 162 partly damaged, 53 fully destroyed shops, and 64 partly damaged. In total, 1320 people were directly affected, and 87 families (345 individuals) were displaced.    

Investigations have pointed to the alleged involvement of radical elements. Banned groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) reportedly reactivated their networks, exploiting existing tensions. "Operation Murshidabad" by India Today revealed the role of "banned radical groups, local NGOs with extremist ties, and a growing culture of digital and grassroots radicalisation" in orchestrating the unrest. Key orchestrators allegedly include Rajesh Sheikh, a TMC Yubo Block Committee member with reported PFI links, and Dr. Bashir Sheikh, a former SIMI member. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also reported increasing collaboration between Bangladesh-based extremist groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) with local operatives in India to fuel unrest and radicalize youth.  

The alleged involvement of political figures, such as Rajesh Sheikh, with ties to radical groups, suggests a dangerous link between local politics and extremist mobilization, potentially hindering law enforcement. The violence is widely described as a "picture of growing extremism" and "planned and motivated attacks on Hindus," mirroring patterns seen in Bangladesh.    

The Plight of Hindu Women: Molestation, Displacement, and Trauma

The impact on women during the Murshidabad violence was particularly severe, with disturbing accounts of gender-based violence and trauma. The SIT report noted a particularly egregious incident: "The Islamists have burnt all the clothes in the house with the kerosene oil and the woman of the house had no clothes to cover her body." This act, alongside widespread reports of molestation, points to a deliberate strategy of humiliation and dehumanization.    

The National Commission for Women (NCW) took official notice of "reports of several women enduring molestation during communal unrest in the Mandirpara area." An NCW inquiry committee, led by Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, visited the affected areas and relief camps in neighboring Malda district.    

During their visit, NCW members reported encountering numerous women, children, and families who "endured unimaginable suffering, leaving an indelible emotional impact." Women at the relief camp in Para Lalpur High School in Malda explicitly told the NCW team that they were "molested, driven out of home." NCW member Archana Majumdar further alleged that women were "molested and forcibly driven out of their homes," stressing the state's duty to protect them.    

The psychological impact was profound, with the NCW highlighting the "profound trauma inflicted on the victims, particularly the women, leaving 'deep scars' on their psyches." The trauma was described as "severe and long-lasting."    

Displaced women faced heightened vulnerability and loss of dignity, worsened by the alleged absence of adequate state support. Reports from relief camps in Malda district described them as "overwhelmed and under-resourced," lacking basic amenities like food, clothing, water, sanitation, and medical support. The NCW stated the state government "failed to provide even minimum relief," leaving families in distress.    

Disturbingly, allegations of police harassment emerged from the Para Lalpur camp, with women claiming police visited at night, instructing them not to communicate with outsiders, and even removing cooks, making it difficult to access food. This alleged coercion aimed to force them to return home despite lacking safety or homes.    

Official Response and Allegations of Failure

The West Bengal government initially deployed police and suspended internet services. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for calm and stated the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in West Bengal.    

However, the Calcutta High Court intervened due to perceived inadequate state actions. On April 12, the High Court ordered the deployment of central paramilitary forces (CAPF) to restore order. The court also formed a three-member committee to identify and rehabilitate displaced persons, assess property damage, and facilitate FIRs.    

Multiple reports highlighted significant police lapses. A police damage report indicated "mismanaged" deployment, allowing mobs to "attack and loot freely." The Calcutta High Court-appointed committee explicitly stated local police were "inactive and absent" during key incidents, particularly in Dhulian.   

The NCW issued a scathing report, alleging a "complete breakdown" of administrative machinery and governance in Murshidabad. The NCW stated that "despite prior intelligence and visible tensions... the state government failed to take preventive or responsive action, and instead, appeared to act as a mute spectator." The commission also reported a lack of cooperation from state officials during its inquiry.    

Allegations of political complicity also surfaced. Opposition leaders from the BJP claimed ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders incited violence and that state police failed to intervene due to "immense affection towards the fundamentalists." The High Court report also mentioned a TMC leader's presence during the violence. West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose raised concerns about "rising radicalisation and communal instability" in a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.    

Political Blame Game: Accusations and Counter-Accusations

The Murshidabad violence quickly became a political battleground. BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar, condemned the violence as a "premeditated act" by "extremist elements" and "jihadist forces," accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of "cruelty" towards Hindus. Majumdar alleged that Chief Minister Banerjee was "trying to create a Bangladesh-like situation by threatening Hindus."    

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violence and appealed for peace, but accused the BJP-led central government and the Border Security Force (BSF) of instigating communal violence. She questioned the need for protests against the Waqf Act in West Bengal, stating the state would not implement the central law.    

Humanitarian Crisis and the Road to Rehabilitation

The violence displaced over 400 people, including women and children, who fled to neighboring Malda district, often sheltering in schools. A police report indicated 87 families (345 individuals) were displaced, with 1320 people affected overall.    

While local authorities in Malda provided some initial relief , the NCW found camps "overwhelmed and under-resourced," lacking basic amenities. The NCW explicitly stated the state government "failed to provide even minimum relief."    

The Calcutta High Court mandated comprehensive rehabilitation, forming a committee to identify displaced individuals, assess property damage, and collect FIR data. The court emphasized "individualised and customised rehabilitation packages," including rebuilding homes and shops, providing compensation for lost livelihoods, and ensuring care for victims' families. The court also stressed the local administration's responsibility to ensure displaced persons receive "all cooperation" upon return and directed continued police patrolling in vulnerable areas.    

Murshidabad's Complex Tapestry: Demographics and Underlying Tensions

Murshidabad is a densely populated district with a Muslim majority (66.27%) and a significant Hindu minority (33.21%) as per the 2011 census. Historically, the district has faced socio-economic disparities, with Muslims often being tenants under predominantly Hindu landlords, contributing to underlying communal tensions.

The district's porous border with Bangladesh introduces complex cross-border dynamics, with concerns about illegal migration and the spread of radical ideologies. Data from the West Bengal state home department shows a 40% increase in communal incidents in Murshidabad since 2022. BSF reports indicate a 15% increase in illegal border crossings, particularly after the interim government took power in Bangladesh.    

The alleged presence and reactivation of Bangladesh-based extremist modules like JMB and ABT, collaborating with local operatives and banned Indian groups like PFI and SIMI, are highlighted as significant factors fueling unrest and radicalizing youth.    

Conclusion: Seeking Justice and Sustainable Peace

The April 2025 Murshidabad violence represents a profound scar on West Bengal's social fabric, leaving behind death, injury, widespread destruction, and deep psychological trauma, especially for women and children. The documented patterns of targeted attacks, severe human rights abuses against women, and alleged political-extremist links underscore the urgent need for accountability and a robust national framework for preventing and responding to such crises.    

The ongoing legal proceedings and charge sheets against accused individuals are crucial steps towards justice. Comprehensive and sensitive rehabilitation efforts, as mandated by the Calcutta High Court, are essential for victims to rebuild their lives and ensure their safe return. Beyond immediate relief and law enforcement, sustainable peace in Murshidabad requires addressing the underlying socio-economic disparities, historical tensions, and the growing threat of radicalization and illegal migration.    

The Murshidabad incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of communal harmony in border regions and the critical importance of effective governance, robust law enforcement, and inclusive development to prevent such tragedies from recurring. A coordinated approach between state and central authorities, coupled with genuine community engagement, is vital for fostering long-term stability and ensuring justice for all affected.