Kolkata, 15 April (H.S.): Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, launched a scathing attack on the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] over its alleged silence on the Murshidabad violence. He claimed that the CPI(M)'s alliance with the INDIA bloc was preventing it from openly criticizing the ruling Trinamool Congress, despite the fact that two of its own active party workers were killed in the violence.

Referring to the deaths of Hargobinda Das and his son Chandan Das in Shamsherganj, Murshidabad, Adhikari pointed out that CPI(M) state secretary and Politburo member Mohammed Salim had himself identified them as active members of the party.

Accusing Salim of giving misleading statements, Adhikari said, “Salim claimed the father and son were killed while trying to stop riots in Murshidabad. But the complaint lodged by Hargobinda Das’s wife clearly states that on April 12 at 10:30 AM, a group of miscreants entered their home and murdered them. Can someone try to stop riots from inside their own house?”

He further alleged that Salim was deliberately withholding the names of the accused because they belonged to a particular religious community, as reportedly mentioned in the complaint.

Addressing Salim directly, Adhikari said, “You are an intelligent man and you understand what I am saying. But you cannot speak the truth openly because your party is a part of the INDIA bloc, which includes Trinamool. You cannot criticize the state government because the murderers are protected by the ruling party.”

Adhikari also accused Salim of using his religious identity for political gains in the 2019, 2021, and 2024 elections, all of which he lost.

He went on to highlight the alleged targeting of the Hindu community in Murshidabad. According to Adhikari, following protests against the Waqf Act, violence broke out and hundreds of Hindus were forced to flee their homes. He claimed that people sought refuge in a school, temples were vandalized, and properties were looted.

In the aftermath of the violence, Adhikari filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, which led to the deployment of central forces in the affected areas following the court's directive.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh