Kolkata, April 12
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said the Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in the state.
"We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?" she said in a post on social media platform X.
Her post comes at a time when several pockets in the state, especially at the minority-dominated Murshidabad district, have been on the boil for the last few days over the protests against the Waqf Act.
Although previously on a number of occasions the Chief Minister had given "subtle" messages to the Union government that Waqf Act implementation in West Bengal would not be that easy, never before had she been so direct in her proclamation that the new act will not be implemented in the state.
In her post, the Chief Minister also claimed that the administration will take legal action against those inciting riots and cautioned that some political parties are trying to "misuse" religion for political gains.
"We do not condone any violent activity. Some political parties are trying to misuse religion for political gain. Do not give in to their persuasion," her statement read.