After repeated “violent” protests in West Bengal against the amended Waqf Act passed in Parliament, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to meet with the Imams, Muslim clerics and thought leaders to discuss about the roadmap of the protest and the Act, state administration sources said on Saturday. CM Banerjee is likely to sit with them on April 16 at the Netaji Indoor stadium of Kolkata, the sources further said.
Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Firhad Hakim Friday stated that the chief minister will hold a meeting with the Imams where she will present her views.
Hakim also said that the state administration would go to the Supreme Court to challenge the Centre’s decision. “In the name of Waqf, there have been attempts to trigger chaos in West Bengal. Bengal is… for people of all religions,” Hakim said.
On Saturday, Banerjee posted on X, “I appeal to all religions, please remain calm and restrained. In the name of religion, don’t do any non-religious activity. Every person’s life is important… for political reasons, don’t instigate riots. Those who are rioting are basically harming the society. You should remember… the Central government introduced that law. So, if you want to ask, ask the Centre… We already specified our stance that we do not support such a law. We will not implement this law in our state. Then, why are you rioting?… Whoever is instigating riots, we will take stern action against them. We will not tolerate any violence.”
Banerjee had already told the Muslim community in Bengal that the amended Waqf Act “will not be implemented” in the state.
“I know you are aggrieved because of the enactment of the Waqf Act. Have faith, nothing will happen in Bengal by which one can divide and rule. You send out a message that all have to stay together,” Banerjee said.
She also appealed to people to not pay heed to those who “provoke them to launch a political movement”. Referring to the Murshidabad violence, she said, “Look at the situation in the bordering areas of Bangladesh. This Bill should not have been passed at this time. We have 33 per cent minorities in Bengal.”
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However, alleged violent protests have been erupting in Bengal for the last week — in Murshidabad, Malda, South and North 24 Parganas and other parts of the state.“After this, Mamata Banerjee decided to sit with Muslim clerics to assure them on the Waqf bill and advise them not to be violent during protests,” said a senior state official.
