"We live once and die once": Mamata Banerjee on Murshidabad violence

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 14 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony amidst rising tensions and violent protests in some parts of the state, particularly in Murshidabad, over the Waqf Amendment Act.
Banerjee emphasised the right to protest but stressed that no one should take the law into their own hands.
"We live once and die once. So, why is there a riot? Every caste and religion has the right to protest, but do not take the law into your hands... Some people are trying to mislead you; do not pay attention to them," Banerjee said, emphasising the importance of non-violent demonstrations while inaugurating the Kalighat skywalk at Kalighat in Kolkata.
The Waqf Amendment Act has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing it undermines the autonomy of Muslim religious endowments. The protests have turned violent in some areas, resulting in casualties and injuries. Banerjee assured that the law wouldn't be implemented in West Bengal, but the Calcutta High Court intervened, directing the deployment of central forces to restore order.
Mamata Banerjee said that no one should play irreligious games with religion and stated that "dharma means devotion, affection, humanity, peace, amity, culture, harmony, and unity."
"One shouldn't play irreligious games with religion. Dharma means devotion, affection, humanity, peace, amity, culture, harmony, and unity. Loving human beings is one of the highest expressions of any religion. We are born alone and we die alone; so why the fight? Why the riots, war, or unrest?", Mamata Banerjee said.
She said that anyone can win anything if we love people; however, "if we isolate ourselves, we won't be able to win anyone."
"Remember, one can win everything if we love people. But if we isolate ourselves, we won't be able to win anyone. If someone is attacked - whether they are ignored, oppressed, deprived, marginalised, or from any religion - we stand by everyone", West Bengal CM said.
"We have custodians of the law; we do not need those who operate outside it. This is why I request that when someone tries to incite you, do not fall for the trap. Those who keep their mind calm amid all provocation are the real winners. That is real victory", she added.
The situation in Murshidabad remains tense. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far.
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday demanded that elections be held under President's Rule in areas where Hindus are in the minority, citing concerns over voting rights after the Murshidabad violence.
He also called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the violence, labeling it as "anti-national activities."Adhikari has petitioned the Calcutta High Court, seeking the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad due to escalating violence. The violence erupted over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "I have this in my petition that after such explosions and firing incidents, the NIA should investigate (in Murshidabad) as these are anti-national activities... Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they don't let Hindus vote, and hence, the Elections must be held under president rule for the sake of democracy..."
On Monday, security was heightened in the South 24 Parganas region when protestors blocked roads, protesting the Waqf Amendment Act.
Meanwhile, security personnel conducted a flag march in the violence-hit Dhuliyan town in the Jangipur division of the Murshidabad district. A heavy police force has been deployed in the region from days after the violence
ADG Eastern Command of BSF Ravi Kumar Gandhi visited the violence-hit areas in West Bengal on Monday and said that the situation is getting normal. He stated that the BSF has been working closely with the state police, and the CRPF has also joined the operations. Gandhi added that on Sunday, the situation was peaceful.
"The situation is getting normal now. Since last Friday, we, the BSF, have been working closely with the local police and doing whatever is required to normalise the situation. Now, the CRPF has also come. Yesterday also, the situation was relatively very peaceful, and wherever we are getting any input about any tension or trouble, we are responding effectively. So I am very sure that soon the situation will get normal and we are working closely with the local police and other sister agencies", he told ANI. (ANI)