West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a sharp critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of hypocrisy in their stance towards Muslims. Speaking at a gathering with Muslim clerics, Banerjee alleged that while the BJP projects an anti-Muslim narrative domestically, it accepts hospitality from Muslim-majority nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “You say one thing in your country and another outside,” she remarked.
The Chief Minister’s comments come amid widespread opposition to the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Banerjee appealed to the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, to remain united in resisting the legislation. She emphasized that the law’s implications extend beyond individual communities, warning, “Today, it is happening against you. Tomorrow, it will be against someone else.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Act has sparked significant unrest, particularly in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where protests turned violent, resulting in multiple fatalities and property damage. The Supreme Court has expressed concerns over certain provisions of the Act and is considering an interim stay on contentious elements, including the inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf boards and the powers granted to district collectors over disputed Waqf properties.
Banerjee’s remarks have drawn sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who accused her of politicizing the issue and failing to address the violence in her state. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incidents in Murshidabad.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Act continues to escalate, with both sides entrenched in their positions. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming decisions are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around this contentious legislation.
