‘Courts can’t be mute spectators’: Calcutta HC steps in after Bengal riots

In a stern intervention, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which have claimed three lives.

Widespread unrest was reported in Murshidabad, Malda, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas, where protesters torched police vehicles, hurled stones at law enforcement, and blocked major roads. The situation prompted urgent judicial attention, with the High Court emphasizing that constitutional courts “cannot be mute spectators” when public safety is at stake.

“The situation appears grave and volatile,” observed a special bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury. The bench was formed urgently after a petition by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called for central intervention.

The court stressed the responsibility of the state to protect citizens’ life and property, adding, “Action against the perpetrators must be taken on a war footing.” It further directed that the central forces operate in coordination with state authorities to restore law and order.

Acknowledging the unrest, the court noted that “internal disturbance” cannot be denied and stated that reports of vandalism in multiple districts require immediate and strong action. Both the state and central governments have been asked to submit detailed reports ahead of the next hearing scheduled for April 17.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose welcomed the court’s directive. “I’m glad that the High Court has taken timely and appropriate action,” he said in a video statement from Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, reiterated her opposition to the central law, stating that the Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in West Bengal. Urging peace, she said, “This law was not made by us; the Centre must answer the people’s questions.”

Banerjee also warned of legal action against those inciting violence, cautioning against the political misuse of religion. State DGP Rajeev Kumar similarly declared that any disruption under the guise of protest will be firmly dealt with.