‘Women Told To Send Daughters For Rape’: NCW Cites Testimonies From Murshidabad Riot; BJP Reacts To Mamata’s Plea
Calling for immediate intervention from the West Bengal government, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Sunday urged state authorities to address the grievances of women affected by the recent violence in Murshidabad district. Rahatkar said the panel is preparing a detailed report, which will be submitted to the Centre, with copies to top state officials.
Rahatkar met West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose at Raj Bhavan and briefed him on her two-day visit to the violence-affected regions of Murshidabad and Malda. Speaking to reporters at a hotel in Kolkata, she recounted harrowing testimonies from women who faced severe trauma, adding that their pain “was beyond imagination” and had “left a deep scar” on their minds, news agency PTI reported.
“The responsibility of bringing peace lies with the state government,” Rahatkar said, advocating for urgent confidence-building measures and immediate compensation for victims.
Following her meeting with the governor, Rahatkar posted on X, “After my visit to riot-hit areas in Murshidabad, I met the honourable governor at Raj Bhavan today. The honourable governor also visited the areas. We had an intense discussion about the violence. I expressed concern over the condition of women and children and told the governor the state government has to take full responsibility.”
अपने तीन दिवसीय मुर्शिदाबाद, मालदा दंगा क्षेत्रों का दौरा करने के बाद आज कोलकाता स्थित राज भवन में प. बंगाल के राज्यपाल श्री सी.वी. आनंद बोस से भेंट की।
महामहिम राज्यपाल ने भी दंगा पीड़ित क्षेत्रों का दौरा किया था। हमारे बीच में हिंसा पर गहन चर्चा हुई। मुर्शिदाबाद में महिलाओं व… pic.twitter.com/HOdbZeotBb
— Vijaya Rahatkar (@VijayaRahatkar) April 20, 2025
She said the report being prepared by the NCW includes the voices of women who credited the Border Security Force (BSF) for saving their lives and dignity. When asked about the demand for a BSF camp in the area, she replied, “Yes, that is what many of them said. There is an air of fear and insecurity in the area. We will certainly incorporate their views in our report.”
Calling upon the state government to act “promptly and urgently” to provide justice, Rahatkar said, “Wipe their tears, make arrangements for immediate compensation to make up for their losses (damage to properties and loot of belongings).”
Describing the situation, she added, “They are our own people, they are daughters of this state. What they went through is beyond words. They saw the houses, which they built with their hard-earned money, get shattered and burnt down; they were assaulted, threatened and driven out, women were tortured and chased away from their homes, from the villages they lived in for years.”
She recalled testimonies of women who were “dragged from their homes, brutally attacked and threatened in the most inhuman manner” and said some were even told to “send their daughters to be raped.”
“There was a woman who ran for her life with her four-day-old baby, and newlyweds fleeing their homes while their belongings were looted,” she said.
Expressing her distress, she added, “As a woman, I felt disturbed as we went around relief camps in Murshidabad and Malda for two days. I tried to console them; we told them the entire country is with them. Their minds are shattered and we told them not to lose their mental strength.”
NCW Chief Responds To TMC’s Jibes Over Murshidabad Visit: ‘Aren’t They Our Own People?’
Rahatkar dismissed allegations by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders that the NCW was acting on behalf of the BJP-led Centre and selectively targeting states. “All I will say is that I don’t want to indulge in politics. I came here to be on the side of tortured sisters,” she said. Urging critics to focus on the real issue, she asked, “Why don’t these critics themselves meet those women and stand with them to feel their agony and what they felt? Aren’t they our own people?”
She questioned the absence of the State Women’s Commission in the riot-hit areas, urging them to “meet the mother who lost her husband and son” and to “express sympathy.”
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that the BJP and its allies had launched a false campaign, Rahatkar said, “I haven’t seen or read the comments of the CM. The only thing I feel is that the state government should urgently address their problem and instil a sense of security.”
The NCW had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the violence that erupted on April 11 and 12 in Murshidabad, reportedly amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Three people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless in the clashes.
BJP Questions CM Mamata Banerjee’s Plea For Peace
Meanwhile, BJP leader and West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari told ANI that Hindus were under threat in the state and demanded an NIA probe. “We are constantly working to keep our culture and religion alive. Hindus are under threat in West Bengal… We want NIA. The state police is fully responsible for this kind of brutal killing. Everyone here wants NIA to come and take up the case,” Adhikari said. He also hit out at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, calling his remarks blaming the BJP for the violence “politically inspired.”
#WATCH | East Medinipur, West Bengal: State assembly LoP Suvendu Adhikari says, “… We are constantly working to keep our culture and religion alive. Hindus are under threat in West Bengal… We want NIA. The state police is fully responsible for this kind of brutal killing.… pic.twitter.com/9aL06DuOne
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar alleged that West Bengal was being turned into “Bangladesh Lite” by the Mamata Banerjee-led government. “Mamata Banerjee has already made West Bengal—Bangladesh Lite. Hindus are being killed in West Bengal… We are all aware of the situation in Bangladesh,” he told ANI, drawing a parallel to the killing of Hindu leader Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh.
#WATCH | On the killing of Hindu minority leader Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says “Mamata Banerjee is exporting Bangladesh to Murshidabad. Mamata Banerjee has already made West Bengal- Bangladesh Lite. Hindus are being killed in West… pic.twitter.com/BedAJPnnEh
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Responding to CM Mamata Banerjee’s appeal for peace in the state, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar remarked, “We also want peace, but how will it be established? Every time there is a riot or violence, two Hindus are killed. Hindu women will be offered to convert to Islam…Is this how peace will be established?…”
#WATCH | On WB CM Mamata Banerjee’s appeal for peace in the state, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says, “We also want peace, but how will it be established? Every time there is a riot or violence, two Hindus are killed. Hindu women will be offered to convert to Islam…Is this… pic.twitter.com/lkghW3tCpZ
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
CPI(M) Demands Judicial Probe into Murshidabad Riots, Alleges TMC-BJP Collusion
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday demanded a judicial probe into the recent communal violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, accusing both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the riots for political gains ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Addressing a mega rally of CPI(M)’s frontal organisations at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, party state secretary Mohammed Salim alleged that the two parties were engaging in “competitive communalism” to divert public attention from critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and corruption.
“We want a judicial probe into the Murshidabad riots to bring out the truth. The TMC and BJP are engaged in competitive communalism, which is nothing but a desperate ploy to shift focus from the real issues affecting the common people,” Salim said, as quoted by PTI.
He alleged that the riots in Murshidabad were “scripted” and intended to divide people on religious lines for electoral benefits. “BJP and Trinamool Congress are trying to take West Bengal to a situation where fraternity and unity among the people will be lost,” Salim said.
Referring to the Waqf (Amendment) Act passed by the Centre, Salim criticised the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of betraying public trust. “The law (Waqf Amendment Act) has been amended nationwide. There is a nationwide protest against it. But riots didn’t take place anywhere except Murshidabad. That raises serious questions,” he remarked.
The CPI(M) leader further claimed that both BJP and TMC were helping each other in polarising voters ahead of the 2026 elections. “Before the 2026 elections, the BJP and TMC are helping each other so that an atmosphere is created in the name of religion and people get divided,” he stated.
Declaring the beginning of CPI(M)’s campaign for the upcoming state elections, Salim urged party workers and sympathisers to take the political fight to the grassroots. “Let the battle for the 2026 (West Bengal assembly elections) start from here,” he said.
Reiterating the party’s stance on the Murshidabad riots, Salim alleged, “TMC and BJP colluded and orchestrated this violence. It’s a shameful betrayal of the people’s trust.” The CPI(M) has called for prompt action against those responsible and urged the people of West Bengal to unite against the “dangerous politics of division”.
He demanded that police register criminal cases suo motu against those delivering hate speeches, and emphasised the need for police reforms to ensure their independence.
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