NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp counterattack on Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath over his remarks on the recent communal violence in Murshidabad, reminding him of the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj that had claimed over 30 lives.
While addressing a meeting with Muslim clerics, Mamata called Yogi the 'biggest Bhogi' and highlighted concerns about alleged encounters in Uttar Pradesh.
"Yogi is saying big things. He is the biggest Bhogi (meaning materialist). Multiple lives were lost in Mahakumbh. Many people are killed in encounters in Uttar Pradesh," Mamata said.
Yogi doesn't let people take out rallies. There is a lot of freedom in Bengal," she added.
This comes a day after Yogi alleged that "Bengal is burning" and accused Mamata of calling rioters “messengers of peace”. “Such anarchy must be controlled. The only treatment for these rioters is sticks, without which they can't be reined in,” he added.
“Laato ke bhoot baaton se kaise manenge’. But, in the name of secularism, they have allowed the riots to spread violence. The whole of Murshidabad has been burning for the past 7 days and the government is silent. There should be a full stop to this anarchy,” the UP CM said.
Mamata also hit back at the BJP-led Centre, alleging "Communal riot in Murshidabad pre-planned."
“Had TMC been involved in the Waqf violence as claimed by the opposition, the houses of our leaders wouldn’t have been attacked,” she said. She also pointed out that the TMC had taken a strong stand in Parliament against the Waqf law. “TMC is at the forefront in the fight against the Waqf law,” Banerjee stated during a meeting with Imams.
She alleged that some media houses backed by the BJP had circulated fake videos to defame the state. “We have nabbed them... Out of eight videos, some are from Karnataka, some from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, or Rajasthan. They are tarnishing Bengal. They should be ashamed,” the CM said.
Communal violence erupted in Murshidabad over the recently enacted Waqf Act. A total of 210 people have so far been arrested in connection with the violence.
The clashes erupted when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf Act rally addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.
Meanwhile, vehicular traffic movement was normal along the Basanti Highway in the Bhangar area in South 24 Parganas district, which witnessed fresh episodes of Waqf Act-related violence on Monday, they said.
Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) had clashed with the police at Bhangar on Monday, leading to several injuries, vandalism of public properties, and the torching of multiple police vehicles.
The amendment was passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 4, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared it earlier with 288 members backing the legislation and 232 voting against. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on April 5, turning it into law.
According to the government, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to streamline the management of waqf properties, empower stakeholders, and enhance the efficiency of property surveys, registrations, and legal proceedings.
It aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995, to address challenges in the regulation and oversight of Waqf properties. The amendments focus on enhancing the administration and ensuring more effective management of Waqf assets across India.
While addressing a meeting with Muslim clerics, Mamata called Yogi the 'biggest Bhogi' and highlighted concerns about alleged encounters in Uttar Pradesh.
"Yogi is saying big things. He is the biggest Bhogi (meaning materialist). Multiple lives were lost in Mahakumbh. Many people are killed in encounters in Uttar Pradesh," Mamata said.
Yogi doesn't let people take out rallies. There is a lot of freedom in Bengal," she added.
This comes a day after Yogi alleged that "Bengal is burning" and accused Mamata of calling rioters “messengers of peace”. “Such anarchy must be controlled. The only treatment for these rioters is sticks, without which they can't be reined in,” he added.
“Laato ke bhoot baaton se kaise manenge’. But, in the name of secularism, they have allowed the riots to spread violence. The whole of Murshidabad has been burning for the past 7 days and the government is silent. There should be a full stop to this anarchy,” the UP CM said.
Mamata also hit back at the BJP-led Centre, alleging "Communal riot in Murshidabad pre-planned."
“Had TMC been involved in the Waqf violence as claimed by the opposition, the houses of our leaders wouldn’t have been attacked,” she said. She also pointed out that the TMC had taken a strong stand in Parliament against the Waqf law. “TMC is at the forefront in the fight against the Waqf law,” Banerjee stated during a meeting with Imams.
She alleged that some media houses backed by the BJP had circulated fake videos to defame the state. “We have nabbed them... Out of eight videos, some are from Karnataka, some from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, or Rajasthan. They are tarnishing Bengal. They should be ashamed,” the CM said.
Communal violence erupted in Murshidabad over the recently enacted Waqf Act. A total of 210 people have so far been arrested in connection with the violence.
The clashes erupted when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf Act rally addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.
Meanwhile, vehicular traffic movement was normal along the Basanti Highway in the Bhangar area in South 24 Parganas district, which witnessed fresh episodes of Waqf Act-related violence on Monday, they said.
Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) had clashed with the police at Bhangar on Monday, leading to several injuries, vandalism of public properties, and the torching of multiple police vehicles.
The amendment was passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 4, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared it earlier with 288 members backing the legislation and 232 voting against. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on April 5, turning it into law.
According to the government, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to streamline the management of waqf properties, empower stakeholders, and enhance the efficiency of property surveys, registrations, and legal proceedings.
It aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995, to address challenges in the regulation and oversight of Waqf properties. The amendments focus on enhancing the administration and ensuring more effective management of Waqf assets across India.
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