“Laaton Ke Bhoot…”: Yogi Adityanath Slams Mamata Banerjee’s “Silence” Over Murshidabad Violence

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a fierce attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of remaining silent amidst the violent clashes in Bengal’s Murshidabad, stemming out of anti-Waqf Act protests. Speaking at a public rally in Hardoi, Adityanath criticised Banerjee for "turning a blind eye" to unrest in her state and alleged that she was enabling rioters under the guise of secularism.

"You can see that West Bengal is burning. The state CM is silent and calls the rioters peacemakers," he stated. "Laato ke bhoot baaton se kaise manenge," he added, implying that stern action was needed to curb the violence. "In the name of secularism, they have allowed riots to spread. Murshidabad has been burning for the past seven days, and the government is silent. There must be a full stop to this anarchy,” said the Uttar Pradesh CM.

Adityanath also targeted the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) for their silence on the issue, describing them as a "burden on the land of India." "Everyone is silent. Congress is silent over the Murshidabad riots. Samajwadi Party is silent. TMC is silent," he said. "They are issuing threats one after another. They are shamelessly supporting what happened in Bangladesh. If they like Bangladesh so much, they should go there. Why are they being a burden on the land of India?"

The Uttar Pradesh CM took the opportunity to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for passing the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, which he said would end illegal encroachments and benefit the poor. "We are thankful to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah who passed the Waqf Amendment Bill and reined in the loot of property belonging to the poor," Adityanath said.

He warned that no one would be allowed to seize land and indulge in lawlessness anymore. "That is why they are worried. The loot in the name of land is going to stop. Their henchmen, now free, will turn into 'Bhasmasur' and start looting them (the Opposition). So they are fooling people in the name of Waqf and misleading them."

Adityanath’s comments come in the wake of violent clashes in Murshidabad, West Bengal, which broke out following protests against the recently amended Waqf Act. At least three people were reported dead, and several homes were destroyed in the violence. So far, 210 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence.

The Calcutta High Court intervened and ordered the deployment of central forces to restore calm. Authorities said the central forces are currently patrolling the affected areas to maintain peace and rebuild public confidence.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for calm and condemned the violence. She also clarified that the controversial law was enacted by the Centre, not the state government, and added that she does not support the recent amendments to the Waqf Act.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of appeasement politics. Party leaders claimed that Mamata Banerjee’s alleged vote-bank politics had emboldened radical elements and forced Hindus to flee their homes amid the violence.

The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 4 April with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had earlier cleared the bill with 288 members supporting it and 232 opposing it. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on 5 April, officially turning the bill into law.