"Hindus must rise, unite, and vote for the BJP" :::::: NHRC takes cognizance of violence in Murshidabad, calls for a report within three weeks :::: Locals endorse report, say outsiders triggered the clashes

BJP announces 'black badge' protest on April 16, 2025 

pledge 'Hindu Shaheed Diwas' as tribute to slain riot victims

Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari has made no secret of the BJP's political battle and electoral strategy. 

"Hindus must rise, unite, and vote for the BJP - or Bengal will turn into another Bangladesh," he said.

He accused the state administration of being complicit in attacks on Hindu neighbourhoods, while the police "stood as silent spectators."

NHRC Member Priyank Kanungo says, "We received 3 separate complaints from Murshidabad. A father-son duo was killed by a mob which was spreading hatred and violence over the Waqf Amendment Act..

"We have also received news that many people are fleeing from there to other districts in the neighbouring states, and the feeling of insecurity has set in among the citizens. In such a situation, it becomes necessary that the Human Rights Commission takes immediate cognizance. We have taken cognizance on the basis of the complaint. 

We have directed that a team of the Commission should go there, see the situation and submit a report in this regard to us. 

For this, we have given them a time of 3 weeks...It is necessary that instead of trusting the government's report on the situation there, we should send our team for the proper investigation..." . 

With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, West Bengal's political terrain is shifting more sharply than ever - and the axis is religion. 

While faith has long played a role in the state's politics, recent months have witnessed a hardening of tone, tactics, and tempers. What was once an undercurrent is now front and centre.  

Both the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP are actively invoking religious identities - Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Eid - not just as cultural observances, but as political flashpoints. 

This escalating narrative is further fuelled by incidents of communal unrest, like the recent attacks on Hindu communities in Murshidabad, says a report in 'The Economic Times'. 

It is true, the BJP has doubled down on Hindutva, framing it as a rallying cry for 2026. 

But political analyst Udayan Bandyopadhyay warns the approach may backfire. "People already associate BJP with Hindu politics. This overt campaign could alienate secular and progressive voters," he says. (ET) 

"Excessive communal rhetoric could consolidate Muslim votes against BJP." 

A central government probe has suggested that intruders from Bangladesh could have sparked off the violence. 

A local, Zulfikar Ahmed, says "We do not support the protest which was organised that day. The protest against the Waqf Act should have been peaceful. Whatever happened is wrong. 

The loot and hooliganism in the name of the Waqf protest are not good. We want peace and normalcy restored in this area...".  

One Ujjwal Gupta said: "Whatever has happened here is wrong. In the name of opposing the Waqf Act, houses of Hindus and temples have been vandalised. The situation is under control now. 

All Hindus and Muslims stay together here, but if someone comes from outside and incites riots, it is wrong. We want everyone to stay peacefully and get back to normalcy."