South 24 Parganas Violence: ISF Protest Over Waqf Act Turns Violent, Police Vehicles Torched

South 24 Parganas Violence , West Bengal — What began as a political protest over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act spiraled into violence on Monday in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas, with several people injured and police vehicles set ablaze during a confrontation between Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters and law enforcement.

The incident unfolded as hundreds of ISF workers, led by Bhangar MLA and party leader Naushad Siddique, tried to make their way to Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata for a large rally opposing the new Waqf legislation. The rally, which did not have proper police clearance, was intended to send a strong message against what the ISF calls an “unconstitutional and anti-Muslim” law.

As the protestors moved through the Basanti Highway near Bhojerhat, police intervened, blocking the marchers and asking them to disperse. Tensions quickly escalated when ISF supporters attempted to break through police barricades, leading to a violent clash. According to officials, multiple police vehicles were torched, and several personnel were injured in the melee.

“Protesters became aggressive and began attacking our officers. We had to use force, including lathi-charge, to control the situation,” a senior police official told reporters. Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed the use of batons and said one ISF worker sustained a serious head injury during the chaos.

In response to the violence, ISF supporters staged a sit-in on the highway, disrupting traffic for hours and bringing movement along the crucial corridor to a standstill. Heavy police deployment, including senior officers, was rushed to the area to restore order. A high alert was issued in surrounding localities to prevent further flare-ups.

At the rally held later in Kolkata, Naushad Siddique lashed out at both the state and central governments. “This is not just about the Muslim community. This is about justice, about the Constitution. We reject this Waqf Amendment, and we will continue to resist it,” Siddique declared to a cheering crowd.

He also criticized the Trinamool Congress-led state government, questioning the police crackdown despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s public assurance that the Waqf Act would not be enforced in West Bengal.

“If the Chief Minister says the law won’t be implemented here, then why are her police blocking us from protesting peacefully? Are protests now a privilege exclusive to the ruling party?” Siddique asked.

Trinamool Congress MLA from Canning Purba, Showkat Mollah, dismissed the ISF protests as a political stunt. “They’re a party with no real support on the ground. These protests are merely attempts to disrupt peace and provoke unrest,” he said.

The latest flashpoint comes on the heels of deadly communal violence over the same issue in Murshidabad district, where at least three people were killed and several injured during unrest in Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur over the weekend. Burnt shops, homes, and charred vehicles bore witness to the intensity of the clashes.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Chief Minister Banerjee reiterated on Saturday that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be enforced in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court, acting on a petition by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

With emotions running high and political rhetoric intensifying, West Bengal finds itself once again at the crossroads of law, order, and identity politics. As the situation remains tense, all eyes are on the administration to ensure that peace prevails.