Waqf Act violence: Calcutta High Court orders BJP, TMC not to provoke but refuses to ban protests

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday asked the officials of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and others not to give any provocative speeches about the violence in West Bengal following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025..A Division Bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury said that no provocative speeches should be made by any side. "Please do not give any provocative speeches. It is not restricted to one person. It covers everyone," the Bench said.However, it refused to ban the protests against the law. "We are not getting into all that. If the State allows, state will be inviting problem," the Court remarked. .It further said that a committee will be constituted to facilitate the rehabilitation of the families affected by the violence. The committee is likely to have members from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) and the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA). It will be tasked with identifying the people affected and for providing them food and shelter. The West Bengal government was also asked to come up with a rehabilitation scheme. "State has to formulate a scheme for their rehabilitation, and restoration of the people. Those who died, their families have to be compensated," the Court remarked. It added that the presence of central armed police forces (CAPF) in the State will continue for some more time. .The Bench made these observations while dealing with a batch petitions related to the violence in West Bengal since the Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, is one of the lead petitioners in the case. Last week, the Court had ordered deployment of the CAPF in the violence-stricken area of Murshidabad. .Today, Adhikari's lawyers asked the Court to order a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and stop more demonstrations till the Supreme Court of India decides the fate of the new Waqf laws. The counsel said that petrol bombs were thrown at the central armed forces while they were trying to control the riots. He further argued that it is not a stray incident. A particular community is targeted throughout the State starting Friday, and then it goes on unabated, he said. “It is not a stray incident. Throughout the state, every now and then, there is violence against a particular community. It always happens on Friday and continues,” he submitted.It was further argued that an association of imams gave an interview where they allegedly stated that if the Supreme Court does not strike down the law, they will mobilise protests in the whole country. “They often carry the tricolour, and while carrying the tricolour, stones are pelted. I am praying for a direction to the state to prevent any kind of demonstration against this Waqf (Amendment) Act till the matter is decided by the Supreme Court,” the counsel said. The Court was also told that it has been admitted by the government that rioters crossed from Bangladesh into Bengal to spread violence, and were given a safe passage back. The lawyer added that the funding also came from abroad and stone pelters were paid ₹500 each. .Meanwhile, the State government blamed the Centre for the violence, arguing that it was them who passed the law, which is encroaching on the rights of around 30 crore people. Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandyopadhyay said even the Supreme Court has taken the view that certain provisions of the Act must be stayed, while the challenge is heard by the apex court. “If the central government passes a law and there is an agitation, I am not responsible. Responsibility has to be taken by the Central government, not me. Did I pass the law? See what the Chief Justice [of India] has said. A very drastic law has been passed. This law is encroaching on almost 30 crore people of this country,” he stated. He added that the PILs are for political reasons and also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.“Today entire thing is against the Central government, and Central government officers will come and stop them [rioters]? Central government officers will come and fire? I am responsible for the people of this state. I am the elected government. Who will take the responsibility? Home Minister Amit Shah will take the responsibility, or the Prime Minister will take the responsibility?”Bandyopadhyay also targeted Adhikari. “The stone pelting culture came to West Bengal when he [Adhikari] became the leader of the opposition. In this State, the stone pelting culture has been brought by petitioner number 1 [Adhikari.”The senior lawyer added that the State has filed FIRs, arrested several people of both religions, and the law and order situation is being brought under control. He added that the other petitioner, advocate Tarun Jyoti, has been spreading rumours and videos which may promote violence. .[Read Order]