Why no affection for the victims, why pampering for the attackers?
Communal riots broke out in West Bengal after anti-Waqf protests turned violent, leading to the killing of Hindus and the forced displacement of 400 families. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other Trinamool Congress leaders appealed to the rioters and pacified them, but showed no strong condemnation or support towards the victims. Instead of addressing the violence and devastation, they focused on appeasing the attackers, which not only emboldened the perpetrators but also alienated the Hindu community in the state. Trinamool Congress leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, took a soft stand on the violent mobs and asked them to protest in Delhi instead of addressing the immediate concerns of the victims. For example, Trinamool MP Mukul Roy appealed to the rioters to go to Delhi to protest against the Waqf Act, while Mamata Banerjee herself announced that she would not implement the new Waqf law in West Bengal. This approach has been criticised for its lack of empathy towards the victims and focus on appeasing the attackers. The violence continued for several days, with the West Bengal police reportedly remaining a mute spectator and making no intervention to protect the victims. Central forces were deployed in the riot-affected areas only after the intervention of the Calcutta High Court. Videos and reports have emerged showing police inaction and victims calling police stations for hours for help.
The incident highlights communal tensions in West Bengal and raises concerns over the administration and political parties' way of handling communal violence. While protests against the new Waqf law took place in several states, the situation in West Bengal was particularly violent, resulting in the deaths and forced displacement of thousands of people. The Trinamool leadership has been criticised for not strongly condemning the incident and focusing on appeasing the rioters, thereby fuelling the violence and alienating the Hindu community.
The appeasement of the attackers and silence over the plight of the victims has been described as inhumane and shocking. The chief minister's silence over the killing of people and the forced fleeing of hundreds of people from their homes for fear of being killed in communal riots has been particularly criticised. Such actions can further inflame communal tensions and undermine confidence in the administration's ability to protect all communities equally.
Violence continues in West Bengal, with incidents of violence even occurring on the Bengali New Year on April 15. Despite the gravity of the situation, the Trinamool leadership has shown no strong response or support for the victims, instead focusing on appeasing the rioters and not implementing the new Waqf law in the state. This approach has been criticised for its lack of empathy and potential to escalate communal tensions and violence.