Violent protests rocked West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday following demonstrations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leaving at least three people dead and dozens injured.
The unrest has sparked widespread political backlash and social media outrage, particularly directed at Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan, whose social media activity during the crisis has drawn sharp criticism.
Amid the turmoil, Yusuf Pathan, a first-time MP representing Baharampur in the Lok Sabha, came under fire for an Instagram post shared on Saturday.
In the photo, the former cricketer sips tea in a serene estate, captioning it, “Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment.”
The post drew immediate backlash, with users questioning his silence during the Murshidabad violence.
One commenter wrote, “Waha Murshidabad jaal raha hai aur aap ghum rahe ho?” (Murshidabad is burning, and you’re vacationing?), while another asked, “Do you even know what’s going on in your constituency???”
The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to seize the moment.
Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala criticized Pathan and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Bengal is burning. HC has said it can’t keep eyes closed and deployed central forces. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such state-protected violence as Police stay silent! Meanwhile, Yusuf Pathan – MP – sips tea and soaks in the moment as Hindus get slaughtered. This is TMC.”
Pathan has yet to respond to the criticism.
The violence, which erupted in the areas of Suti, Samserganj, and Dhuliyan, reportedly began after protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent.
Mobs torched vehicles, attacked homes, and clashed with police. Among the injured are several police personnel. So far, over 138 people have been arrested.
In response, the Calcutta High Court stepped in on Saturday, ordering the deployment of central forces to restore law and order in the region.
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the Murshidabad violence and Yusuf Pathan’s controversial post have intensified the political fault lines in West Bengal.
As the situation develops, calls for accountability and stronger governance in violence-hit areas are likely to grow louder.
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