Synopsis
On April 16, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet Muslim leaders in Kolkata to discuss strategies against the Waqf (Amendment) Act amid ongoing violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal. This meeting aims to address community concerns and prevent future unrest.Key Takeaways
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to meet Muslim leaders today.
- Discussion will focus on opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
- Meeting venue: Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata.
- Continued police deployment in Murshidabad for restoring peace.
- Political implications of the meeting are significant.
Kolkata, April 16 (NationPress) In light of the unrest in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal over the last week due to protests against the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to convene a meeting on Wednesday with imams, muezzins, and religious figures from the Muslim community within the state.
This meeting aims to strategize on opposing the Act.
It comes at a time when Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel are conducting deployments and route marches in troubled areas like Samserganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur to help restore normalcy and rebuild trust among the local populace.
The meeting will take place at Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata.
Firhad Hakim, the Minister for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development in West Bengal and Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, will also be in attendance.
Political analysts believe this meeting will draw significant attention, particularly regarding whether the Chief Minister will merely outline a strategy to oppose the Waqf Act or if she will also provide guidance on averting similar violent protests in the future.
Earlier this month, the Chief Minister criticized the Waqf Act, labeling it as an “attempt to snatch others' property.”
She further asserted, during a program for the Jain community in Kolkata, that she would always stand to protect minority communities and their properties.
Last week, the Chief Minister confirmed that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be enforced in West Bengal. This has prompted the state leadership of the BJP to question how a Chief Minister could declare an intention to prevent the enforcement of a Central Act.
Mahua Moitra, a Lok Sabha member from Trinamool Congress representing the Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act. As such, all eyes will be on the Chief Minister’s address during the meeting with imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community on Wednesday.
