Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 15 (ANI): CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary Md Salim alleged on Tuesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) are 'helping each other' to 'create an atmosphere' in the name of religion in view of the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal.

He further claimed that the Hindus and Muslims are not holding each other responsible, referring to the violence which broke out during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad earlier in the month.

'The law (Waqf (amendment) Act) has been amended nationwide. There is a nationwide protest against it. Mamata Banerjee's government is trapped here, so TMC and the BJP colluded and orchestrated this violence. Otherwise, this would have happened across the country; why just in Murshidabad? Because the Left and Congress are still strong there. So, before the 2026 elections, the BJP and TMC are helping each other so that an atmosphere is created in the name of religion and people get divided. But we want people to unite. Local people, too, are saying the same,' he told ANI on Tuesday.

'People are blaming the BJP, TMC and Police administration. Hindus are not accusing Muslims, Muslims are not blaming Hindus,' he added.

Ever since the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in parliament, there has been widespread protest in West Bengal. The protests even led to violence in Murshidabad and Jangipur, after which the central security forces were deployed in the violence-hit areas following the order of the Calcutta High Court.

The security forces have even set up a relief camp in Malda for those who left Samserganj-Dhuliyan in Murshidabad after violence broke out there during a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act on April 11.

According to the officials, the situation in West Bengal's Dhuliyan town in the Jangipur subdivision of the Murshidabad district is under control after the violent protests staged against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 11. Security personnel, including BSF and CRPF, have been deployed in the area, and authorities have stated that the situation is now under control.

Three people were killed in Dhuliyan in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Murshidabad district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were torched on Friday night. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per the Bengal Police, the situation is now under control. (ANI)