Amid mounting tensions in West Bengal following the deadly communal violence in Murshidabad, Governor CV Ananda Bose has submitted a detailed report to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing grave concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
In his report, the Governor, who paid a two-day visit to the strife-hit areas, has sharply criticised the role of the state police, flagged systemic failures and urged the Centre to consider constitutional recourse to restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law.
At the very end of this report, without phrasing ut as a recommendation, the Governor mentioned Article 256 of the Constitution that prescribes imposition of President’s rule in a state. “Needless to add, the provisions under article 356 of the Constitution also remain,” he added in his report, which came a day before chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Murshidabad visit.
The violence in Murshidabad, triggered by unrest surrounding the new Waqf law, claimed three lives— one person died in police firing while a father and son were hacked to death by a mob. The Governor warned that the unrest in Murshidabad had already shown signs of spilling over into other districts of Bengal, raising fears of broader communal destabilisation.
Also read: Mamata to visit riot-hit Murshidabad on May 5
“To go by the history of political violence that the State is prone to and from the spillover effect that the Murshidabad violence had over other districts in the State, may I suggest that the Government of India consider the Constitutional options not only to put a check on the current situation but also to generate confidence of people in the Rule of Law,” Governor Bose wrote in his communication to the Home Minister.
In a scathing indictment of the state administration’s handling of the crisis, Bose called for the constitution of a formal commission of inquiry. He asserted that the sequence of events and administrative inaction point to a premeditated breakdown in governance.
“The sequence of events that unfolded show the woeful lack of coordination among administration and law enforcement agencies that were either too feeble to rise up to the challenge or were reluctant to do so,” he noted.
Bose has also advocated for the formulation of comprehensive legislation that would empower the Union Government to intervene in maintaining law and order when state authorities are either incapacitated or unwilling to act decisively.
He highlighted the growing influence of radical Islamist factions in the region, warning of their dangerous attempt to manipulate public sentiment under the guise of religious insecurity.
“An issue that is seldom voiced is the concern that is felt over the role of certain fundamentalist Islamist groups, which are seeking to mobilise Muslim opinion, using the subtext of ‘Islam in danger’. The twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy poses a serious challenge for West Bengal, especially in two of the several districts sharing the international border with Bangladesh – Murshidabad and Malda. In both these districts, there is an adverse demographic composition with Hindus being minorities. Another district, Uttar Dinajpur, has a plurality. Growing polarisation on communal lines and greater emphasis on violence and violent activities is only likely to exacerbate this situation,” Bose wrote.
In addition to the communal aspect, the Governor also highlighted broader governance challenges, stating that while the state has achieved success in combating ultra-Left extremism, it continues to falter in handling communal riots and routine law and order issues.
“While the State Government has been successful in dealing with various issues such as organised ultra-Left militancy, the authorities continue to flounder while dealing with communal conflagrations and ordinary and routine law and order situations, specially issues such as rape and campus violence,” he mentioned in the report.
Bose further stressed the urgent need to secure Bengal’s porous borders. “Infiltration from Bangladesh needs to be halted, and fencing of the international border must be assessed and completed. During the political turmoil in Bangladesh in 2024, there were reports of increasing attempts of migration from Bangladesh to Bengal,” he wrote.
Having toured Murshidabad on April 18 and 19, the Governor concluded that the violence bore the hallmarks of premeditation and foreknowledge. He accused the state government of failing to act despite being aware of the looming threat.
With three lives lost and an atmosphere of volatility gripping the state, Bose’s report adds fuel to the growing national debate over governance and communal harmony in West Bengal, intensifying the spotlight on the Mamata Banerjee-led administration.
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