West Bengal has recently plunged into a state of turmoil, marked by a breakdown in law and order and targeted attacks on the Hindu community. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government has struggled to contain the escalating violence, with incidents of arson, vandalism, and attacks on Hindu places of worship, businesses, and homes. The situation has worsened due to Mamata Banerjee’s appeasement politics, coupled with police inaction and laxity in addressing the violence. In March 2025 alone, West Bengal saw eight attacks on the Hindu community.
Murti of Maa Shitala Allegedly Set Ablaze in Baruipur
On March 7, an incident of alleged vandalism and arson targeting an murti of Maa Shitala occurred in Baruipur city, located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The temple & idol of Goddess Shitala were demolished by Atrak Molla.
This incident happened in Baruipur, West Bengal, not in Bangladesh.And the police are said to be extremely active in saving that miscreant!!
I got the whole incident from Facebook, link – https://t.co/WyNMTXoNPB pic.twitter.com/dh3VaFKHhv— Krishanu Singha (@KrishanuOnline) March 7, 2025
According to reports, a Muslim man identified as Sheikh Indu allegedly vandalized the murti before setting it on fire. Social media posts circulated visuals purportedly showing charred remains of the murti and damage to the Hindu Mandir where it was housed.
Local residents reportedly apprehended the accused, Sheikh Indu, at the scene. Subsequently, the Baruipur police took custody of the individual.
In a tweet posted on March 7, the Baruipur police stated that the detained person is an “outsider” and claimed he has “mental health issues,” describing him as a “person of unsound mind.” The police further stated that a case has been registered and an investigation is currently underway.
Hindu-owned shops and properties were targeted in Naoda
On March 9, BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari took to X (formerly Twitter) to report that Hindu-owned shops and properties were attacked at Patikabari Bazar in the Naoda block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
Adhikari tweeted, “A few hours ago, miscreants vandalised and set fire to shops and properties owned by Hindus at Patikabari Bazar in the Naoda Block of Murshidabad District.” He urgently called for the intervention of the West Bengal police and the state’s Chief Secretary, urging for the deployment of forces to restore law and order.
A couple of hours ago, miscreants have vandalised and set on fire Shops & Properties owned by Hindus at Patikabari Bazar; at Nawda Block of Murshidabad District.
I am requesting DG @WBPolice & @chief_west to instruct the Murshidabad District Administration to immediately deploy… pic.twitter.com/LtTQx3qisK— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) March 9, 2025
Suvendu Adhikari also called for the deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) to help calm the situation. He urged, “If the situation cannot be controlled, I request that you kindly ask the Hon’ble Bengal Governor to deploy BSF personnel so that law and order can be restored and normalcy reinstated as soon as possible,” emphasised the BJP MLA.
Kali Mandir in Basirhat Attacked
On March 9, reports surfaced regarding an alleged attack on a Kali Mandir located in Shankchura Bazar, Basirhat city, within the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh brought the incident to public attention via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the idol of the Hindu deity was vandalised. Ghosh further alleged that the attack on the temple was orchestrated under the leadership of a local TMC politician, Shahanoor Mondal.
1.1 In a shocking incident, the idol of Goddess Kali was vandalized at the Kali temple in Shankhchura Bazaar, under the jurisdiction of the Basirhat Police Station. The act of vandalism reportedly took place under the leadership of Shahanoor Mondal (TMC) of Nindaria Panchayat. pic.twitter.com/9t3z5by2KG
— Dilip Ghosh (Hindu Nationalist) (@DilipGhoshBJP) March 9, 2025
Hours later, on the same day, the West Bengal Police addressed the incident on social media, asserting that there was “no communal angle” involved in the alleged crime. The police also claimed that the individual responsible for the vandalism of the Goddess Kali murti has “mental health issues.”
Hindu Murtis Vandalised in Nandigram Mandir
On March 14, allegations surfaced regarding the vandalism of Hindu deities’ murtis at a Mandir in Kamalpur village, Nandigram Block 2, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal.
BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya brought the incident to public attention via a post on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a video depicting the vandalised murtis.
Malviya alleged that “certain individuals,” intolerant of the ongoing puja and Ram Narayan kirtan, vandalised the Mandir and desecrated the murtis. He further emphasised the seriousness of the situation. The circulated video reportedly features a man expressing frustration with the perceived inaction of the police, claiming they were “not doing anything.” The video also allegedly shows a police officer intimidating the individual recording the desecrated murtis.
Alleged Mob Violence Targets Hindu Community in Mothabari, Malda
On March 27, reports emerged of alleged widespread violence in Mothabari village, Malda district, where purportedly Muslim mobs engaged in vandalism of public property and selectively targeted businesses and homes owned by Hindus.
Eyewitness accounts, including a video shared by BJYM leader Achintya Mondal, detailed the alleged devastation. A Hindu woman described the events, stating that “Muslims have destroyed Hindu homes,” forcing families to hide. She pointed out that Muslim-owned properties in the village appeared to be untouched.
The woman recounted instances of damage to homes and shops, and alleged looting of money and belongings, leaving victims questioning their survival. She also mentioned the destruction of her son-in-law’s residence. Furthermore, she lamented the alleged inaction of the police, stating, “The police ran for their lives. They did not save us.”
Another Hindu woman speaking to the media claimed that they are being compelled to conceal their religious identity, stating, “We have to remove our Sakha Pola and wear a head covering like the hijab. And we have to do it against our will.” She further alleged abduction and torture of women, and continuous stone pelting on their homes. Threats of kidnapping and murder of children were also reportedly made if Hindu women did not comply with certain demands.
Another woman expressed concern about their livelihoods, stating that their children were confined to their homes due to the unrest and questioning how they would survive without being able to work.
Hindu Betel Farms Allegedly Torched, Shops Looted in Jhaubona, Murshidabad
On March 29, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar shared videos on X (formerly Twitter) alleging targeted attacks against the Hindu community in Jhaubona, Murshidabad district, West Bengal. Majumdar reported that Hindu-owned betel farms were set ablaze and shops were looted. He characterised the incidents as violent attacks perpetrated by “Jihadi mobs.”
Another horrifying attack on Hindus under Mamata Banerjee’s appeasement regime!
Jihadi mobs unleashed terror in Jhaubona, Naoda (Murshidabad), after the Mothabari rampage. Under the cover of darkness, they deliberately set fire to Hindu-owned betel farms, looted shops in… pic.twitter.com/zVLQZKOLmn
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) March 29, 2025
In his tweet, he stated, “Another horrifying attack on Hindus under Mamata Banerjee’s appeasement regime! Jihadi mobs unleashed terror in Jhaubona, Naoda (Murshidabad), after the Mothabari rampage. Under the cover of darkness, they deliberately set fire to Hindu-owned betel farms, looted shops in Jhaubona & Trimohini Bazaar, and launched violent assaults on innocent Hindus.”
Shitala Maa Murti Allegedly Vandalised in Dakshin Dinajpur Mandir
On March 30, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar reported via X (formerly Twitter) an alleged act of vandalism at a Hindu Mandir in Keshabpur village, South Dinajpur district, West Bengal. Social media visuals purportedly show the desecration of the Shitala Maa murti within the Mandir premises.
See the devastation at the Shri Shri Shitala Mata Temple in Keshabpur, Jahangirpur region of South Dinajpur. Under the cover of night, the temple was vandalized, and the idol of the goddess was shattered in a manner reminiscent of fundamentalist #jihadists in #Bangladesh.
If an… pic.twitter.com/BOjhcslfY7
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) March 30, 2025
Majumdar’s tweet detailed the incident, stating, “See the devastation at the Shri Shri Shitala Maa Mandir in Keshabpur, Jahangirpur region of South Dinajpur. Under the cover of night, the Mandir was vandalised, and the murti of the Maa was shattered in a manner reminiscent of fundamentalist jihadists in Bangladesh.”
