Yet another Hindu festival marred by violence in Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal.
In Murshidabad’s Beldanga, Hindu homes are attacked on Kartik Puja, while her police remain spineless spectators.
How long will Hindus suffer under her appeasement politics? This lawlessness must… pic.twitter.com/ioOSKxmb6y
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) November 17, 2024
Six people were injured in a communal clash that broke out at a Kartik Puja Pandal in Beldanga, Murshidabad, West Bengal, on Friday night. The clash involved members of the Hindu and Muslim communities and turned into a riot. Local officials said the tension started over an allegedly offensive message written on a neon sign at the event.
Authorities are working to fully investigate what happened. The West Bengal Police have asked for calm. They said people are trying to spread false information and rumors about the clashes.
Shocking news from Beldanga, Murshidabad. Planned provocative display of abuse and disrespect to incite religious hatred with great impunity is exposing worthlessness if not complicity. @MamataOfficial and @WBPolice. We condemn and demand stern action against all those involved.
— Md Salim (@salimdotcomrade) November 16, 2024
Malicious efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation and rumours about last night’s incident at Beldanga in Murshidabad where clashes took place between two groups over some condemnable mischief. President and secretary of the committee where this…
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) November 17, 2024
“The president and secretary of the committee where this incident occurred are helping with the investigation,” a police department representative said.
Tensions escalate during Kartik Puja conflict
After the violence, 17 people have been arrested for their involvement in the riots.
Things are still tense, but under control, as authorities keep working to bring back normalcy. The political situation has made things more complicated. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are blaming each other for the incident.
Both parties have accused the other of increasing communal tensions for political gain as the state gets closer to assembly elections. This developing story shows the ongoing challenges of keeping communal harmony in a region with diverse cultural and religious identities. The authorities have promised to take strong action against those found guilty of causing violence.
They have asked for peace from all community members.
