Communal tensions gripped Beldanga in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district as clashes broke out over an alleged blasphemous message by Islamist groups displayed at a Kartik Puja pandal. The incident, which started as a disagreement, escalated into large-scale violence, leaving over 50 people injured and dozens of homes and shops damaged. The region has since been placed under strict prohibitory orders to prevent further unrest.
On November 16, the Hindu community in Beldanga’s Ward No. 10 organised Kartik Puja celebrations, setting up pandals adorned with decorations and messages. One such pandal displayed a digital board carrying a message that allegedly offended the sentiments of a section of the local Muslim community. The content of the message has not been disclosed officially, but it is reported to have been deemed provocative by certain groups.
Initial objections from members of the Muslim community led to an argument between the two groups. However, the situation spiraled out of control when the dispute turned into a violent confrontation involving stone pelting, arson, and targeted attacks.
The violence spread rapidly across the area, with mobs targeting homes, shops, and vehicles. More than 30 houses were vandalised, with several set ablaze, leading to significant property damage. Eyewitnesses reported that criminal elements within the mob used country-made bombs, further escalating the destruction. Visuals from the scene showed widespread panic as paramilitary forces struggled to contain the situation, at times retreating under assault.
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Police vehicles were attacked during the clashes, forcing the authorities to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the violent crowd. The situation continued to remain tense throughout the night, with the violence subsiding only by the early hours of November 17 morning.
In response to the violence, the administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Beldanga and the nearby areas of Kazisaha and Begurban. Internet services have been suspended indefinitely to prevent the spread of rumors and inflammatory messages on social media.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to maintain peace in the region. The police have taken swift action, arresting 15 individuals suspected to be involved in the clashes. Authorities have stated that they are conducting investigations to identify more perpetrators.
The violence has disrupted life in Beldanga, with several families losing their homes and belongings. Shops and markets in the area remain shut, and many residents have sought refuge in safer locations. The Bhagirathi Express, traveling from Sealdah to Murshidabad, was delayed for hours due to the unrest, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Ward No. 10, one of the worst-affected areas, bears the brunt of the destruction, with charred houses and shattered windows serving as grim reminders of the violence.
BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of failing to maintain law and order. He went as far as to suggest that the state was being turned into “another Bangladesh” due to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Majumdar also questioned the government’s inability to address communal tensions before they escalated.
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh attempted to visit the affected areas but was stopped by the police, leading to further allegations of administrative bias against the opposition.
Residents of Beldanga, especially those in Ward No. 10, are still reeling from the aftermath of the violence. Families whose homes were burned down described harrowing experiences of fleeing the area to escape the rioters. “We have lost everything. Where do we go now?” asked a distraught resident whose house was set ablaze.
Local shopkeepers expressed concern about their safety and financial losses. “Our livelihoods depend on these shops, and now they’re destroyed. The government must step in to help us rebuild,” said a shop owner.
The district administration has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore peace and provide relief to those affected. Authorities have emphasised the importance of communal harmony and appealed to leaders from both communities to foster dialogue and understanding.
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