The humid Monday afternoon in Bhangar cracked under tension, as the narrow lanes of South 24 Parganas bore witness to yet another flashpoint in West Bengal&rsquo;s simmering unrest over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act. What began as a large gathering of Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters quickly spiralled into chaos when their march toward central Kolkata was intercepted by police near Bhojerhat on Basanti Highway.
The protesters, many having travelled from Bhangar, Minakhan, and Sandeshkhali, were en route to Ramlila Maidan, where ISF&rsquo;s Bhangar MLA, Naushad Siddique, was slated to address a rally opposing the Act. Police barricades, however, blocked their movement, citing lack of requisite permissions for the gathering. Tensions flared. Chants grew louder. The crowd surged.
Then the first baton fell.
According to eyewitnesses, the police launched a lathi-charge to scatter the crowd, triggering a furious backlash. Protesters retaliated with stones and bricks. In the mayhem that followed, at least two police vehicles were set ablaze. Smoke billowed over the Basanti Highway as sirens screamed and vehicles screeched to a halt. The entire stretch came to a standstill.
Clashes continued for hours. One policeman was reported injured. A handful of locals trying to mediate were caught in the scuffle. &ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t give us a chance to explain,&rdquo; shouted one protester, clutching a torn banner. &ldquo;We were just heading to listen to our leader. Why stop us?&rdquo;
Despite the crackdown, Siddique went ahead with his speech at Ramlila Maidan, thundering against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. His words echoed a growing sentiment in parts of rural Bengal: &ldquo;This is not just anti-Muslim&mdash;it&rsquo;s anti-Constitution.&rdquo;
The violence in Bhangar comes barely days after Murshidabad&rsquo;s deadly clashes, which claimed three lives and left dozens injured, including police personnel. In response to that earlier outbreak, the Calcutta High Court had ordered the deployment of central forces in sensitive zones. Today&rsquo;s escalation suggests the embers are far from dying.
Back in Bhangar, the mood remained tense well after nightfall. A heavy police presence patrolled the by lanes. Officials confirmed two arrests by late evening and registered cases against dozens involved in damaging public property. Raids were ongoing, and authorities urged locals not to spread or fall for rumours. &ldquo;Misinformation will be met with legal action,&rdquo; a senior officer warned.
Despite police assurances that the situation is &ldquo;under control,&rdquo; residents here know better. In Bhangar&rsquo;s charged air, the fear is not of what happened&mdash;but of what might come next.
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Police vehicle vandalised and overturned by ISF supporters and anti-Waqf Act protestors

State govt's Waqf Act stand fuels anger among ISF, unrest brews in parts of South Bengal

Fresh Violence Erupts in WB's Bhangar Over Waqf Act

State govt's Waqf Act stand fuels anger among ISF, unrest brews in parts of South Bengal

April 14, 2025 | 22:24 IST