Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the violence that erupted in Murshidabad over the Waqf Amendment Act. Addressing a public meeting in Hardoi, Yogi said, “Bengal is burning, and the Chief Minister is sitting quietly. The only answer to riots is lathi and discipline.” Citing his state, he claimed that anarchy was brought under control in Uttar Pradesh after the BJP government was formed in 2017, as “rioters were explained with lathi.”

Targeting Mamata, Yogi said, “In the name of secularism, miscreants have been given a free hand. What fear does one who beats a ghost have?” He questioned why the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are silent on the Bengal violence. Also, he advised those who sympathize with Bangladesh to go there. Political analyst Ramesh Pandey said, “Yogi’s statement reflects the BJP’s strategy in Bengal, but it may further escalate regional tensions.” This statement has come at a time when the situation in Murshidabad is slowly becoming normal, but political rhetoric has heated up the atmosphere.