West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that the Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in the state. She made it clear that she will continue to support minority communities.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Jain community in Kolkata, Banerjee said, “I know you are aggrieved because of the enactment of the Waqf Act. Have faith, nothing will happen in Bengal that allows anyone to divide and rule.” She also raised question on the timing of the legislation, stating, “See the situation in Bangladesh. This (Waqf Bill) should not have been passed now.” The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha last week after long discussions. It became law on April 5 after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu.

On Tuesday, violence broke out in Murshidabad during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Reports say the protest turned into a clash between the demonstrators and the police, leading to stone-pelting and the burning of several police vehicles. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, posted a video on the social media platform X. He said the video showed scenes from the recent unrest and accused the state government of doing “vote bank politics.”

“Antisocial elements are taking to the streets, burning government and public property, and spreading chaos in the name of protest. This is not dissent, it’s destruction—and is absolutely unconstitutional,” Adhikari wrote. “The West Bengal government and administration are failing to maintain law and order because they are deliberately turning a blind eye to protect the ruling party’s vote bank.”

He requested the Chief Secretary of the state and the Union Home Ministry to send central forces to the area, saying that the local police were not able to handle the situation. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also criticised Banerjee, claiming that she was trying to hide the truth. “When violence breaks out in other states, Mamata Banerjee is quick to shed crocodile tears and stage dramatic protests. But when her own vote bank runs riot in Murshidabad, she goes silent—and shuts down internet services to suppress the truth,” Malviya posted on X.