Suvendu Adhikari Demands President's Rule in West Bengal Amid Murshidabad Violence​

By A Staff Reporter

Kolkata — In the wake of escalating violence in Murshidabad over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has urged the imposition of President's Rule in the state. He alleges that the unrest, marked by explosions and firing incidents, constitutes anti-national activities and that Hindus in minority areas are being prevented from voting.​

"I have this in my petition that after such explosions and firing incidents, the NIA should investigate (in Murshidabad) as these are anti-national activities... Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they don't let Hindus vote, and hence, the elections must be held under President's Rule for the sake of democracy," Adhikari stated.​

The protests in Murshidabad turned violent, with reports of vandalism at railway stations, disruption of train services, and clashes between protesters and police. The Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of central forces to restore order, and over 150 arrests have been made.​

Adhikari further accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fostering an "anti-national" environment to secure their Muslim vote bank ahead of the 2026 Bengal assembly elections. He claimed that the violence was a deliberate attempt to polarize voters and that the state police are effectively aligned with the Chief Minister's political agenda.