In the midst of sporadic incidents of violence in parts of the state during protests against the Act, Mamata addressed a “Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Diwas” event of the Jain community at Netaji Indoor Stadium, where she reiterated her core political philosophy: “Jiyo aur jeeney do (live and let live).”

“To the minority communities, I want to say — we understand your pain regarding the Waqf property issue. But please have faith. Nothing will happen in Bengal. We will never allow a divide-and-rule policy here,” Mamata said.

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Mamata’s calls for peace across West Bengal amidst violent clashes on Waqf Bill

Mamata Banerjee also appealed for peace and unity, emphasizing, “Let the message be that we will all live together. There should be no impatience… No one has the right to take away anyone’s property. Let everyone live in peace.”  She said this whilst declaring her unwavering commitment to protecting all communities.

She also added, “It is our foremost duty to ensure the safety of everyone. You can shoot me, but you cannot separate me from my belief in unity. All religions, castes, and communities pray for humanity — and we respect them all.”

Mamata also warned the public from falling prey to political provocation and reiterated her personal pledge to the minorities: “So long as Didi is here, I will protect you and your property.” Referring to the unrest near the Bangladesh border, she questioned the timing of the Act’s passage. “This should not have been rushed. Bengal has a 33% minority population — are we supposed to drive them out? We did not cause the Partition. Before Independence, Bengal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India — we were all one. Those living here must be protected.”

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BJP Slams Mamata, Calls It “Appeasement Politics”

The BJP responded sharply. Party state president Sukanta Majumdar mocked Mamata’s reassurance, asking, “Who is Bengal’s appeasement-obsessed CM trying to protect — radical mobs, fanatic elements? Has she surrendered the state to fundamentalist forces just for votes?”

“Jangipur and Murshidabad are burning. Public property is being destroyed, police are under attack, and law and order has collapsed — yet @MamataOfficial remains silent. Is this leadership or complicity?” he posted on X.

Majumdar also pointed out that the law was passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed by the President. “This is the will of the nation. For a constitutional head to support lawlessness is not dissent — it’s a betrayal of the Constitution,” he wrote, accusing Mamata of trading national interest for communal appeasement.

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Situation Under Control in Murshidabad where violence was reported

In Murshidabad’s Raghunathganj, where protests turned violent a day earlier, calm was restored on Wednesday. Police regained control overnight and arrested 22 individuals. District Magistrate Rajarshi Mitra and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Murshidabad Range) Syed Waquar Raza visited affected areas to take stock and engage with locals.

Meanwhile, fresh demonstrations erupted in Ahirun and Ajagar More along NH12 in Suti, where protesters blocked roads and set tyres on fire. A police team led by Farakka SDPO Aminul Islam Khan dispersed the crowd with a lathi charge and cleared the highway.

Authorities suspended internet services in the Jangipur police district and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNS in Suti and Raghunathganj.

In nearby Murarai in Birbhum district, Trinamool MP Satabdi Roy faced slogans from demonstrators when she attempted to join a protest march against the Act. Roy, along with MPs Dev Adhikari and Jagadish Barma Basunia, was notably absent from Parliament during the vote on the Bill last week. Roy later said her absence was due to illness and claimed those shouting slogans were not affiliated with the party.