The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Tuesday compared the attack on Hindus in certain villages in West Bengal following the violence over the Waqf Act with similar incidents in Kashmir, and called for an intervention by the Centre in case the state government fails to rein in violence. In a statement, Milind Parande, VHP’s National General Secretary, who is on a visit to the state, said, “The attacks on Hindus in Dhulian, Suti, Shamsherganj of Murshidabad are condemnable. The Bengali Hindus who were forced to become refugees in their own state and took shelter in Malda from Murshidabad deserve complete rehabilitation and compensation. This incident is an exact repetition of the incidents in Kashmir.” Calling the attacks “Jihadi”, Parande said, “The state government should ensure that law and order does not deteriorate in Siliguri tomorrow in the name of Waqf movement and later in other places in West Bengal, otherwise the intervention of the central government is necessary.” West Bengal has witnessed widespread protests over the new Waqf law in the past few days, which have turned violent in parts. This has already claimed three lives in Murshidabad, including those of a father and son, who were dragged out of their home by a mob and killed. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed the Border Security Force (BSF) in the district to maintain peace. But Hindus are reported to be fleeing their villages to Malda and other adjacent districts. Following the violence in Dhulian, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has also set up a camp in Padlapur, where sources said around 400 people from about 20-22 villages are sheltered. Sources said they are being provided food, clothing and medicines. “Almost 80 per cent of those in shelter are women and children. There are pregnant women who need special care. We are arranging for doctors and medicines for their proper care. People are also facing difficulties in fleeing the violence as the bridge over the Ganga is a little far away from where the violence has occurred, and boats are not plying. We expect the number of refugees to only rise,” an RSS leader said. Parande, meanwhile, said the government must provide compensation to the next of kin of those killed and rehabilitate those displaced. “Plus, culprits should be given capital punishment,” he said. He also said Central forces should be deployed given the provocative statements by certain ministers in the West Bengal government. “VHP demands that the financial losses due to damages of state and national properties and properties of Hindus in the name of protest should be recovered from the organizers of the protests,” he added.
