Murshidabad Violence: BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of negligence and misplaced priorities following a bout of communal violence in Murshidabad. According to Ghosh, Banerjee’s decision to delay her visit to the violence-hit district raises serious questions about the state government’s commitment to ensuring justice and relief for the victims. The BJP leader pointed out that despite the gravity of the situation—where several homes were torched, shops vandalized, and families displaced—the Chief Minister chose instead to attend high-profile religious functions and temple inaugurations, ignoring the pain and suffering of those affected by the unrest.
Ghosh claimed that Banerjee held closed-door meetings with selected religious leaders and focused on symbolic political events, while the ground reality in Murshidabad remained dire. “People were forced to flee their homes, their properties were looted and set on fire, and communal tension gripped the area. Yet, the Chief Minister stayed away for days. Instead of standing by the victims, she was busy projecting her secular image at religious events,” Ghosh said at a press conference in Kolkata.
He further emphasized that this pattern of behavior is not new, alleging that Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly failed to respond in a timely manner when incidents of communal violence involve attacks on Hindu communities. According to Ghosh, this reflects a larger issue of selective governance and appeasement politics, where state intervention is based not on urgency or need, but on calculated political optics.
The BJP leader’s remarks come in the wake of escalating political tension in West Bengal, especially as opposition parties sharpen their criticism of the ruling Trinamool Congress ahead of upcoming elections. Ghosh’s comments are being seen as part of a broader effort to corner the Chief Minister on issues of law and order, communal harmony, and administrative accountability.
In his critique, Ghosh also highlighted the emotional and psychological toll the violence has taken on the people of Murshidabad. “The victims are not just statistics. These are families who have lost everything—their homes, their livelihoods, their sense of security. What message does it send when the Chief Minister does not even show up to express solidarity with them? Her absence speaks volumes,” he added.
He warned that the people of West Bengal are taking note of the government’s inaction and will respond accordingly at the ballot box. “This indifference will not be forgotten. People want a government that listens, that responds, that cares. Unfortunately, this administration has consistently failed in that regard,” Ghosh asserted.
Ghosh also alleged that ahead of Mamata Banerjee’s eventual visit to Murshidabad, local authorities were instructed to repair damaged properties and clean up the affected areas to give the illusion that the situation had normalized. “They are trying to cover up the scale of the violence. But the truth cannot be hidden for long. People know what they have been through, and no amount of whitewashing will erase that,” he said.
These remarks have reignited the political debate surrounding the state’s response to communal violence and the broader question of whether political leadership in West Bengal is adequately addressing the concerns of all communities.
Mamata Banerjee’s Response: “Peace First, Politics Later”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in response to the sharp criticism from BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, addressed the delay in her visit to violence-hit Murshidabad with measured justification. Speaking at a press briefing, Banerjee firmly rejected allegations of negligence, stating that her administration had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to restore law and order in the area before any political visit could be made.
“I could have gone to Murshidabad much earlier, but I made a conscious decision not to rush in while tempers were still flaring,” she said. “My responsibility is not just to show my face for headlines. My duty is to ensure peace is restored, that no further lives are lost, and that families feel safe returning to their homes.”
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo also clarified that the Digha Jagannath temple inauguration, which coincided with the violence, was a long-planned cultural event, not a political stunt. “We cannot cancel every religious or public event due to unrest in one part of the state. The government machinery was already on the ground in Murshidabad. Police, relief teams, and local officials were working day and night. I monitored every update closely,” she emphasized.
Banerjee also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what she called “opportunistic politics” during times of crisis. She accused them of fanning communal sentiments and trying to gain political mileage from human suffering. “Where was the BJP when families needed food and shelter? They are busy tweeting and giving statements while our workers were delivering relief material, repairing homes, and arranging security,” she said.
In a bold move, Banerjee also questioned the role of the Border Security Force (BSF), alleging that “external elements” had played a role in escalating the situation. She called for an investigation into how the violence began and who might have instigated it. “This was a well-planned attack to destabilize the region, and the Centre’s agencies need to be held accountable,” she added, pointing fingers at the central government’s interference in state matters.
Political Context: A State on Edge
The Murshidabad violence and the political clash between the TMC and BJP come at a time when West Bengal is already reeling from multiple fronts—economic challenges, migration issues, and a delicate communal balance.
Murshidabad, known for its composite culture and mixed religious population, has often been on the radar for communal flare-ups. While TMC enjoys strong support in the region, BJP’s growing inroads into rural Bengal have made Murshidabad a key battleground. This communal violence, although tragic, has inevitably become a flashpoint for both parties ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections.
Political analysts suggest that the timing of the violence, just a year before the state polls, may shape electoral narratives. The BJP, eager to consolidate its Hindu vote base, is positioning itself as the defender of religious rights and justice for riot victims. On the other hand, the TMC is highlighting its administrative acumen and inclusive governance model, accusing the BJP of polarizing Bengal’s pluralistic society.
TMC insiders argue that the opposition is exploiting sensitive incidents to portray the Banerjee government as biased or soft on certain communities. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have claimed that Hindus are increasingly feeling unsafe in the state, especially in border districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and Cooch Behar, which are prone to tensions due to illegal immigration, smuggling, and porous borders with Bangladesh.
With both parties engaging in a war of words, Murshidabad is now emblematic of the larger ideological divide between TMC’s secular politics and BJP’s Hindutva narrative in Bengal.
Murshidabad Violence: Implications for Upcoming Elections
The political fallout from the Murshidabad incident could be far-reaching. As West Bengal heads into an intense election cycle, communal harmony, governance, and crisis management are likely to be front and center in every party’s campaign.
For the TMC, the immediate task is damage control—not just physically repairing homes and infrastructure, but also winning back the trust of the people. Mamata Banerjee’s delayed visit may have raised eyebrows, but her calculated and assertive response aims to reinforce her image as a leader who governs with long-term stability in mind rather than short-term optics.
For the BJP, the incident presents a potent opportunity. By portraying the TMC government as indifferent to the plight of Hindus, the party hopes to energize its base. BJP leaders have already begun organizing fact-finding missions, public meetings, and outreach programs in Murshidabad and other sensitive districts, projecting themselves as the voice of the voiceless.
Political commentators believe the Murshidabad episode may also push smaller regional parties and minority community leaders to reassess their alliances. “This isn’t just a local issue anymore,” says Kolkata-based analyst Suman Roy. “It’s becoming a symbol of whether the state government can truly manage communal diversity under political pressure.”
Voices from the Ground: Citizens Speak
While political leaders battle it out in press conferences and rallies, the most compelling voices are those of the ordinary citizens of Murshidabad who have borne the brunt of the violence.
Rina Das, a 42-year-old shopkeeper whose store was set ablaze during the riots, expressed deep disappointment at the political blame game. “We don’t care whether TMC or BJP comes here. We just want justice and compensation. We want to rebuild our lives in peace,” she said.
Mohammed Zaid, a college student and resident of the area, echoed similar sentiments. “There are good and bad people in every community. Politicians are making this a Hindu-Muslim issue when we all used to live together peacefully. They should stop using our pain to win votes.”
These testimonies reflect the urgent need for reconciliation and rehabilitation. With the situation now relatively calm, civil society organizations have stepped in to offer support, counseling, and humanitarian aid. However, the healing process—both physical and emotional—will take time.
Government & Institutional Sources:
West Bengal Police – Official Website (for law and order status)
https://wbpolice.gov.in
West Bengal Government – Relief & Rehabilitation Department
https://wbdmd.gov.in
Election Commission of India – West Bengal Data
https://eci.gov.in/files/category/155-west-bengal/
Research and Human Rights:
Human Rights Watch – Communal Violence in India Reports
https://www.hrw.org/asia/india
PRS Legislative Research – West Bengal Political and Governance Issues
https://prsindia.org/states/west-bengal
