The Malda violence has triggered a major political confrontation, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders reacting sharply to the arrest of alleged mastermind All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Mofakkarul Islam by the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has defended her government.
West Bengal CID arrested lawyer Mofakkarul Islam from Bagdogra airport when he was allegedly trying to escape. Moffakkarul Islam is said to be the alleged mastermind of the Kalichak incident. He has been accused of leading the protests that broke out in Malda on April 1, during which seven Special Intensive Review (SIR) judicial officers were allegedly held hostage for over nine hours.
Islam, associated with AIMIM, was produced in the court after his arrest. He told reporters, “I did not say anything provocative. My agitation will continue until the names of legitimate voters are registered.”
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) of North Bengal. According to Jayaraman, at least 35 people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident and authorities are investigating whether the violence was pre-planned. The incident has now become a significant political issue, with the BJP coming out strongly against Banerjee and questioning the timing of Islam’s arrest. At the same time, the Chief Minister of West Bengal defended her government’s action and accused the BJP of conspiring to create unrest in Malda.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has expressed serious doubts over the timing and motive of the arrest of Malda violence alleged mastermind Mofakirul Islam, claiming it was a move to protect him from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe.
Majumdar told reporters, “The NIA is investigating as per the instructions of our Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner. Earlier, the CID had arrested him (Mofakirul Islam). I have some doubts on it. Whether this arrest was made to arrest him or to save him, it will be known only after the investigation. Whether anyone else is involved in this or not, the Trinamool Congress definitely has a role. We told you about the Trinamool Congress, its leaders and All the pictures of Mofakkirul with Mamata Banerjee have been shown.
BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar alleged that such incidents were unprecedented and also sought strict intervention from the Supreme Court, accusing the state leadership of collusion. Sarkar said “I have never seen such an incident before in India. Everything in Bengal is happening at the behest of Mamata Banerjee. She should be arrested. The Supreme Court should implement 365 per cent voting as soon as possible and conduct fair elections,” Sarkar said. He further alleged that by reviving old ties and blaming the BJP, Mamata Banerjee aims to consolidate Muslim votes.
Majumdar said “By reactivating old contacts and blaming the BJP, Mamata Banerjee plans to consolidate Muslim votes. Moffakirul has been giving online messages on Facebook even after being arrested. Look, if someone goes live on Facebook while in CID custody, it supports my allegation that Moffakirul was arrested or got arrested by the CID so that he could live a comfortable life.”
Otherwise, if NIA catches him, NIA’s ‘tea’ will be a little bitter. So, to save him, ‘Didi’ (Mamata Banerjee) has lovingly taken him with her.
“The TMC government in West Bengal does not believe in the Constitution of India. TMC thinks it is above the judiciary and the Supreme Court. It is necessary to follow the law and follow the Constitution. TMC is desperate and taking the law into its own hands. The people of West Bengal are ready to punish the TMC government,” Rijiju said.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Banerjee defended her government’s action, saying the prompt arrests made by the CID reflected administrative efficiency. She accused the BJP of conspiring to create unrest in Malda and said they had invited outsiders to instigate violence.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also criticized the West Bengal government, accusing it of disregarding constitutional norms and the authority of the judiciary. He alleged that the recent incident in Malda, in which seven judicial officers, including three women, were taken hostage by villagers on Wednesday was a pre-planned conspiracy hatched by outsiders brought in from Mumbai, and claimed that the state CID has made arrests while the NIA has failed.
He further said, “Elections are being held in four states. A total of 506 officers have been transferred, out of which 483 are from Bengal alone. The contest has begun and it will be very tough. No matter what conspiracy you hatch, the people of Bengal will recognize your face and cut off your votes. If one is called an infiltrator, then everyone is an infiltrator. Then how did he become a minister after winning votes?”.
The West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that the CRPF personnel present there would work in favor of the BJP and urged everyone to remain alert. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha expressed concern over the wider implications of the violence, warning that the country could be pushed towards more violent elections.
He told ANI “Whatever has happened is worrying, but I see that Bengal is being pushed towards violent elections, and when that happens, the leaders of our country need to introspect. The behavior of the Election Commission is a matter of concern in itself. ED and CBI were already in their (BJP’s) camp. All I want to say is that there should be elections in the country every 5 years, but the damage that is being done to the harmony in the country. “It cannot be compensated.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that the case has been handed over to the NIA, which has started a preliminary investigation into the incident.