Murshidabad: As tensions persist in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Trinamool Congress MP and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan is facing criticism for an Instagram post showing him enjoying a cup of tea amid the turmoil.

The post, shared a day ago, features three relaxed photos of the Murshidabad MP with the caption, “Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment.” The timing of the post, as violence gripped parts of the district, triggered backlash on social media, with several users accusing Pathan of being out of touch. One user wrote, “Your constituency is burning, and you are posing here on Instagram. Are you even human?”

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Though the areas most affected by the violence do not fall directly within Pathan’s constituency, their proximity has intensified scrutiny of his public demeanor during a time of crisis.

BJP accuses TMC of inaction, slams Pathan

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the handling of the situation. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X, “Bengal is burning. The High Court has said it cannot keep its eyes closed and has deployed central forces. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such state-protected violence while the police stay silent! Meanwhile, Yusuf Pathan – MP – sips tea and soaks in the moment as Hindus get slaughtered. This is TMC.”

Adding to the political heat, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also targeted the Trinamool Congress and accused the party of indifference toward the victims of the violence. In a strongly worded post on X, he wrote, “On one hand, there is targeted violence against Hindus in Bengal, on the other hand, TMC MP is enjoying and posting pictures on Social Media and teasing the Hindu victims. Mamta Banerjee is running an anti-Hindu administration in Bengal."

High Court orders Central forces, demands reports

In a major legal development, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the immediate deployment of central forces in Murshidabad to maintain law and order.

The directive came following a PIL filed by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who also demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing Adhikari, told the court that the state had seen “widespread and continuing violence,” especially in Murshidabad.

The court has asked both the Centre and the West Bengal government to submit detailed status reports. The matter will next be heard on April 17.

Violence claims lives; 150 arrested so far

According to West Bengal Police, three people were killed and multiple vehicles were torched during violent clashes that erupted on Friday night as protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent.

In the latest update, police on Sunday confirmed that 12 more people were arrested overnight in connection with the violence, bringing the total number of arrests to 150.

"The situation in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj, and Jangipur areas of the district is peaceful. Raids continued overnight, and 12 more people were arrested," said a senior police official. He added that no fresh incidents of violence were reported on Sunday, and security forces remain on high alert across the Muslim-majority district.