‘Very Disturbing’: Supreme Court On Murshidabad Violence During Anti-Waqf Law Protests In West Bengal

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the violence occurring during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 is "very disturbing".

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan made the observation while hearing the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the newly-amended law on waqf.

"One thing that is very disturbing is the violence that is taking place. If the matter is pending here then it should not happen," the CJI said. Echoing a similar sentiment, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said, "They (protesters) think they can pressurise the system by this."

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for a Muslim organisation, opposed the submissions of the law officer and said, "Who is pressuring who we don't know." The CJI then said there were "positive points in the bill" that should be highlighted.

Fresh incidents of Waqf law-related violence rocked Bhangar area in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on April 14, even as police claimed the law and order situation in the previous riot epicentre of Murshidabad remained largely under control.

The Calcutta High Court recently ordered the deployment of central forces in violence-hit Murshidabad district.

At least three people were killed and hundreds were rendered homeless in communal violence in parts of Murshidabad district, mainly Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur, on April 11 and 12 during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

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