India: Muslim mobs attack Hindus again, Hindu leader alleges police inaction

On Thursday, March 27, the Malda district of West Bengal, India, witnessed a major outbreak of communal violence, resulting in the targeted vandalism of Hindu-owned shops and properties by Muslims in the Mothabari area. Eyewitness accounts and media reports indicate that the murderous mob selectively targeted establishments owned by Hindus, leading to widespread destruction and heightened communal tensions in the region.

The disruption took off in the afternoon when the enraged, violent crowd took to the streets of Mothabari. Disturbing photos and videos circulating on social media platforms show the mob tearing down shops. Videos also depict Hindu victims narrating how the rioters asked their names and, following a pattern reminiscent of Muslim militants in Kashmir, confirmed their religious identities from their names before launching attacks on them and vandalizing their vehicles. In another widely shared video, a rioter can be heard hurling profanities at Hindu deities, including Lord Ram, while openly threatening that Hindus would soon be eradicated from Mothabari. Although we have not independently verified the authenticity of these videos, BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari and Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, have drawn attention to the attacks by sharing videos and images showcasing the destruction.

Critics have pointed to an apparent lack of prompt response from local police during the initial stages of the violence. Despite the presence of a sizable mob and ongoing attacks on the Hindus, it is claimed that police forces remained ineffective in protecting the victims. This perceived inaction has raised significant questions about the preparedness, or rather, willingness of the authorities to defend vulnerable communities from Muslims during communal flare-ups in the state. Official statements from the West Bengal government or state police regarding the incident have been limited. However, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, highlighted the severity of the situation, asserting that miscreants exclusively attacked Hindu establishments, while local officials remained ineffective in containing the unrest. He described the police as “helpless puppets,” merely pleading with the miscreants without taking decisive action. Adhikari also called for the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to restore order and protect the affected community.

The immediate trigger for the March 27 violence remains under investigation, but at this point, it’s fairly evident that the religious fanatics don’t need a valid reason to go out and wreak havoc in the streets. Historically, Malda, with its dominant Muslim demography, has been a hotspot for communal tensions. The district’s proximity to Bangladesh’s borders has also made it more susceptible to criminal activities such as smuggling by Bangladeshi infiltrators. Malda’s history over the past decade is marked by several instances of communal attacks carried out by Muslim crowds. One of the major ones was the attack of January 2016, when a protest organized by a Muslim group over a political leader’s remarks escalated rapidly, and the mob attacked the Kaliachak police station, torched vehicles, and vandalized public property.

The attack on Hindu establishments in Malda on March 27, 2025, underscores the persistent communal volatility in the region. Addressing this instability requires a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening law enforcement. However, it seems impossible with the Muslim-pandering approach adopted by the current administration. ​The Trinamool Congress (TMC), under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, has repeatedly been criticized for policies perceived as favoring the Muslim community, leading to allegations of minority appeasement. These actions have sparked debates about communal balance and governance in West Bengal. Still, the party matriarch pays little heed to such criticism given that her vote bloc, whom she fondly refers to as ‘milking cows,” is happy with her and keeps her in power.