Tensions over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 flared into violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, leaving three people dead and prompting the arrest of 118 individuals, authorities said on Saturday.

The clashes broke out on Friday in the Muslim-majority district, where protests against the central legislation had already created an atmosphere of unrest.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made it clear that the state government will not implement the Waqf Amendment Act. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she questioned the basis of the violence: “Our stand is firm – we won’t enforce this law. So what’s the reason for the disturbance?”

Banerjee urged residents to maintain peace, emphasizing that the Act was introduced by the central government, not the state. She also warned against communal incitement, promising strict legal consequences for those who fuel violence in the name of religion.

“This legislation is not ours. It was passed by the Centre. If people have questions, they should address them to the central leadership,” she added.

Her nephew, Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, echoed her call for unity. He accused unnamed forces of trying to sow religious discord to destabilize Bengal politically. “Some are attempting to break Bengal’s unity because they cannot defeat us on the development front,” he stated, urging citizens to preserve the state’s culture of peace.

The situation escalated across several districts including Malda, Murshidabad, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas. Protesters torched vehicles – including police vans – threw stones at law enforcement, and blocked roads, turning several areas into flashpoints.

State police chief Rajeev Kumar warned demonstrators that the authorities would not permit disruption under the guise of protest. “Law and order will be upheld at all costs,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP’s West Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar condemned the violence and accused the Trinamool-led state government of inaction. “The state’s minority appeasement policy has emboldened such vandalism,” he claimed. Majumdar also suggested that the violence could be a distraction from the fallout over a recent Supreme Court verdict cancelling the jobs of 26,000 teachers in the state.

On the other hand, Congress leader Rashid Alvi blamed the ruling BJP at the Centre for interfering in religious affairs, claiming the new law triggered the Murshidabad unrest.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Parliament on April 2 and 3, passed in both houses, and signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu on April 5. The BJP has since announced a ‘Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign’ from April 20 to May 5, aiming to explain the law’s benefits to the Muslim community.