Blasphemy Allegations Spark Muslim Mobs' Attack on Hindus in Beldanga, West Bengal

Image: Jihad Watch

On Saturday evening, a video circulated on social media showing a neon sign at a Karthik Puja pavilion with a message allegedly offensive to the Muslim community. However, the exact content of the message, deemed derogatory by some Muslims, remains unclear. In response, rioters quickly gathered, vandalizing the pavilion and destroying its lighting setup. The violence escalated as a biker gang armed with sticks and weapons attacked another nearby venue. The mob also attempted to block the Beldanga rail gate and the National Highway. Clashes persisted until 10 p.m., disrupting rail services, including the Bhagirathi Express from Sealdah, which was left stranded for hours.

According to The Times of India, “Over 30 shops and houses were either ransacked or set ablaze, with Beldanga’s civic ward 10 suffering the worst damage. Armed groups roamed the streets, leaving several people injured and others missing.”

BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya described the situation in Beldanga as critical. In a post on X, he alleged: “On the day of Kartik Puja, Muslims attacked Hindu homes in Murshidabad’s Beldanga while Mamata Banerjee’s police remained passive. West Bengal has become a graveyard for Hindus. Every festival and puja is attacked, and Mamata Banerjee looks the other way.” Mamata Banerjee is the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Malviya also shared a video featuring a Hindu victim recounting his ordeal: “Despite the police and administration's presence, Hindu houses were set on fire. Look at the scattered stones and burning cars.” The video shows a mob rampaging through a street lined with burning properties.

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar echoed these concerns, comparing the violence to the ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh. He highlighted incidents of bombing in the area and alleged that Muslim mobs had forcibly entered Hindu homes, threatening women with death. Majumdar shared videos and photos of the injured victims and the chaos caused by the rampaging mob.

Disturbing visuals from the violence, depicting Hindu homes engulfed in flames, have gone viral on social media. Authorities temporarily suspended internet services in the area to prevent further escalation. West Bengal, governed by a party often accused of favoring its 33% Muslim voting base, faces criticism for its alleged inaction, as upsetting this demographic could jeopardize its hold on power.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)