Rights group raises alarm over widespread violence against Muslims in West Bengal after election results
New Delhi,: Civil rights advocacy group Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has documented 34 incidents of violence across West Bengal in the four days following the announcement of state assembly election results, highlighting what it described a coordinated pattern of attacks targeting Muslims, Trinamool Congress supporters, and cattle markets.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the New Delhi-based group, comprising comprising advocates, retired judges, social activists, human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, academics, and students, said in its latest report that the violence began on May 4, as election results were declared, and continued through May 7.
The APCR noted that the attacks spiked following the BJP’s victory, with the timing and rhetoric surrounding the incidents suggesting the involvement of party-backed actors. However, the report acknowledged that restricted media access in the state has made independent verification difficult, compelling reliance on local sources.
“The very architecture of West Bengal, known for its harmony and religious diversity, is under threat. This documentation is an attempt to gauge the severity of this threat,” the report said.
As per the findings, at least 50 Muslims suffered physical or other harm, while 54 properties were attacked in the violence. The report broke down incidents into overlapping categories of hate crimes, with attacks on property (19 incidents) emerging as the most frequent, followed by intimidation (14), economic exclusion such as business boycotts (10), and attacks related to the sale, consumption or transportation of non-vegetarian food (5). It also documented four demolitions, three bulldozer-related incidents, one murder and two physical assaults.
The violence was reported across multiple districts, with Cooch Behar and North 24 Parganas recording the highest number (7 each), followed by Kolkata Metro and South 24 Parganas (5 each), Howrah (4), Murshidabad (3), Malda (2), and Birbhum (1). The report said the widespread geographic spread points to “an environment of hostility rather than isolated local incidents.”
Among the 54 properties attacked, Muslim homes were hit hardest — 17 such residences were targeted. At least 10 mosques came under attack, along with eight Muslim-owned shops and hotels and seven other commercial establishments. Trinamool Congress offices and residences were also targeted in eight incidents, including attacks on Muslim party leaders. Additionally, three cattle markets and three roads or institutions named after Muslims were vandalized.
Opposition parties, particularly, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), have blamed the BJP workers for orchestrating widespread post-election violence following BJP’s victory in the state.
