KEY POINTS
- Hindu woman threatened with rape and conversion
- Muslim mobs attacked after April 11 Jumma Namaz
- Thousands of Hindus fled Murshidabad
Tensions remain high in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after large-scale violence broke out on April 11, following protests by Muslim mobs against the new Waqf Amendment Act. Hindu families in the area were reportedly targeted, with incidents of arson, looting, and threats being reported.
A woman named Mamata Ghosh came forward and shared her harrowing experience. Speaking to Panchjanya, she claimed that a mob threatened to rape her and force her to convert to Islam. “They told me they would erase my sindoor and make me a Muslim,” she said, visibly shaken.
Mamata baselessly alleged the attackers said they wanted to remove Hindus from the area and turn it into Bangladesh. “They clearly said they don’t want Hindus here,” she recalled.
The violence reportedly began shortly after the Friday Jumma Namaz on April 11 and carried on until the next day. Witnesses said that Hindu homes, shops, and temples were targeted. Videos and images circulating on social media show scenes of destruction, including burned vehicles, vandalised homes, and damaged places of worship.
Several reports, including one by OpIndia, claim that this was not a random incident but a targeted attack on the Hindu community. Protesters allegedly used the new Waqf law as a reason to incite violence, but the actions quickly turned communal.
Due to the fear and unrest, thousands of Hindu families reportedly fled Murshidabad. Many used boats to cross the river and take shelter in the neighbouring Malda district. Some families said they had no time to gather belongings and fled with only the clothes on their backs.
Local residents are now demanding strong action from the state government and protection from further violence. Many feel that authorities were slow to respond and failed to prevent the mobs from unleashing chaos.
At present, the situation is tense but under control. Police presence has been increased in sensitive areas, and officials have assured that investigations are underway. However, the fear among the displaced Hindu families still lingers.
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