He painted a picture of Pakistan’s woes: defeats in cricket, diplomacy, and beyond. ‘India dominates every arena. Their obsession with terror exports ensures global shame. No wonder they can’t compete on the field.’

Turning to ‘Vande Mataram’ guidelines sparking debate, Naqvi lambasted opponents. ‘Your integrity can’t crumble over a national anthem. If it does, question your own honesty. This song is India’s soul of patriotism.’

In the Tipu Sultan row, Naqvi ridiculed Congress’s Harshavardhan Sapkal. ‘Defeated and derailed, he’s equating a reviled figure with Shivaji, ignoring public sentiment.’

Dismissing Priyank Kharge’s jabs at BJP-RSS, Naqvi said, ‘We’re building the nation relentlessly; they’re stuck in mourning.’

On West Bengal’s turmoil, he praised Election Commission intervention amid alleged state-backed violence. ‘The system is broken; TMC favors anarchy over duty. Their downfall is near.’

Echoing Amit Shah, Naqvi slammed Rahul Gandhi: ‘He’s a serial liar, always confusing farmers and undermining national progress.’

Naqvi’s broadside underscores BJP’s aggressive stance on nationalism, sports rivalry, and political foes.

Speaking to reporters, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya highlighted footage of riotous mobs disrupting SIR site preparations. ‘This is state-sponsored anarchy,’ he charged. ‘They fear the SIR will expose their syndicate raj and bring real progress to the people.’

The SIR project, backed by national industrial policies, aims to transform underdeveloped areas into economic powerhouses. But protests—marked by vandalism and assaults on officials—have forced repeated halts. BJP MPs have written to the Union Home Minister, seeking deployment of central forces to protect the initiative.

Residents in affected areas express frustration over the mayhem. ‘We want jobs, not jungles of violence,’ said one local farmer. Economic experts estimate the SIR could generate over 50,000 employments, a lifeline for youth unemployment plaguing the state.

While TMC leaders counter that the protests are spontaneous land rights movements, BJP counters with intelligence suggesting political orchestration. As the situation spirals, national media attention intensifies, putting pressure on the state government. The coming weeks will test whether Bengal can prioritize growth over political gamesmanship.

The confrontation reportedly occurred late evening in a tense neighborhood known for its history of partisan clashes. BJP volunteers recount being encircled by the MLA’s aides before he personally issued ultimatums: ‘Don’t show your faces here, or face the music.’ The unfiltered display of muscle power has prompted calls for central intervention, with BJP MPs raising the issue in Parliament.

Opposition leaders argue this reflects a broader pattern where TMC strongholds suppress rival campaigns through fear tactics. Data from recent reports highlights over 200 incidents of poll-related violence in the state this year alone. The MLA, a three-term representative, has a controversial track record, including prior complaints of poll malpractices.

As the video trends with hashtags like #TMCGoondaRaj, public sentiment is shifting. Civil society groups are organizing protests, urging the Election Commission to deploy additional forces. TMC’s defense—that it was a minor scuffle—has fallen flat amid the digital storm. In the battle for Bengal’s votes, such incidents risk alienating moderate supporters and handing ammunition to the opposition on a silver platter.

Women in Dhuliyan, one of the worst-affected areas in the state’s minority-dominated Murshidabad district, have urged the Centre to set up permanent Border Security Force (BSF) camps in violence-hit pockets to ensure their safety following recent communal unrest. 

Following last week’s violence, a delegation from the National Commission for Women (NCW) led by its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar visited Dhuliyan on Saturday to meet those affected by last week’s violence, most of whom are Hindus. Several women broke down during their interaction with the delegation and pleaded for the permanent deployment of central forces.

A local woman, sobbing and touching the feet of a delegation member, said, “We won’t survive without permanent BSF camps here. If needed, we are ready to offer our own land and homes for setting them up.” The NCW team assured locals that their concerns would be conveyed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

“We are here to stand with you in this moment of crisis. The whole country is watching and supporting you. We will submit a detailed report to the Centre and include the demand for permanent BSF presence in this region,” a delegation member told the women.

Even before Saturday’s visit, NCW member Archana Majumdar had stressed the need for permanent Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) camps in the region. “The women victims in Murshidabad have clearly expressed the need for permanent CAPF deployment to ensure their dignity and safety. We will raise the issue with the Union government,” Majumdar said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Murshidabad district administration has prepared a preliminary report on property damage. According to initial estimates, over 250 houses and 100 shops – mostly owned by Hindus – were vandalised during the unrest. “This is just the initial estimate. The actual figure may rise as we complete the detailed assessment,” said a senior district official.

(With IANS Inputs)

Speaking on the current situation in the area, IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat said on Saturday that BSF will act in coordination with the police and is prepared to send more forces if needed to help restore peace in the region.

“We have to work along with them in this situation. The discussions were held on this only. We have sent our five companies to help the police. We are here to help the police, not for independent action. We will act according to the demands of the state police. We hope that peace will be restored here soon. If the police need more companies, we will provide them. BSF is ready for all situations,” Shekhawat told reporters. 

1. Shekhawat reached the violence-hit area after the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces in the affected area.

2. In a recent development, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed concern over the riots in West Bengal’s Murshidabad and said that he was glad that the Calcutta High Court stepped in and gave an appropriate decision.

3. Three persons, including a father-son duo, were killed in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, an IPS officer said on Saturday.

4. The father-son duo — Harogobindo Das and Chandan — were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area, he said. The third victim, identified as 21-year-old Ijaz Momin, sustained bullet wounds during clashes at Sajur More in Suti on Friday. “He succumbed to his injuries at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital on Saturday evening,” the officer added.

5. The officer confirmed that post-mortem examinations had been conducted on the father and son.

6. On Saturday, a special bench of Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces “immediately” in Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that have resulted in three deaths so far.

7. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, “For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district.”

8. The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17.

9. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8. After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation.

(With agencies Inputs)

TMC MP shared a picture on the social media site Instagram in which he is holding a cup in his hand and said, “Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment.” 

Reacting to the Trinamool MP’s social media post, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asserted that while Hindus are being slaughtered in Bengal, the TMC MP is seen sipping tea and soaking in the moment.

“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 stays silent! Meanwhile Yusuf Pathan – MP sips tea and soaks in the moment as Hindus get slaughtered. This is TMC,” He said in a post on X.

On the other hand, social media also users started criticising him for the post. One user asked, “Waha murshidabad jaal raha hai aur aap ghum rahe ho?”

Around 150 people arrested in connection with the violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where three people lost their lives, police said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI.