"Let peace prevail", Mamata, Abhishek urge for peace on Bengali New Year amid WAQF protests

On the occasion of Poila Baishakh, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee issued strong messages of peace and harmony, even as parts of West Bengal remain on edge following days of unrest in Murshidabad and Bhangar.

Welcoming Samvat 1432, Mamata Banerjee posted on her X handle, “May the glow of the holy light of the new year illuminate everyone's life. May every person in Bengal be bound by the bond of peace and harmony.” Her message came amidst mounting communal tensions and violent protests triggered by opposition to the amended Waqf Act in Murshidabad district.

Abhishek Banerjee’s message struck a more assertive tone. “Let us all unite,” he posted, urging citizens to rise above hatred and division. “We stand against those who create violence, hatred and religious division. Our unity is our greatest strength.” His words came with a broader appeal for hope, harmony, and collective resistance to divisive forces.

The backdrop to these messages is tense. Since last Tuesday, Murshidabad has been witnessing violent protests in areas like Suti, Shamsherganj and Dhuliyan. Cars were torched, homes vandalized, and the police came under attack from stone pelters. In response, the police had to open fire, leading to the deaths of three individuals. Central forces have since been deployed to restore order.

Unrest also spread to Bhangar on Monday, further escalating the state’s internal situation. CM Mamata Banerjee, while addressing the volatile atmosphere, appealed to the public to stay calm and refrain from vigilantism. “No one should take the law into their own hands,” she emphasized, asking people not to fall prey to provocation.

As the state tries to celebrate its cultural new year, the calls from its top leadership are clear: Bengal must stand united in the face of attempts to divide, and peace must prevail over provocation.