Tension is simmering in Rabindranagar, near Kolkata, following a violent clash between groups that has left at least five people injured, including police personnel. The incident has sparked a political blame game, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding the deployment of central forces and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accusing the BJP of politicizing a local issue.
According to police reports, the clash originated from a dispute over the setting up of a shop in Maheshtala, under the Rabindranagar police station in the South 24 Parganas district. The situation quickly escalated, with reports indicating that a mob turned the area into what one officer described as a "virtual war zone" on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Eyewitness accounts detail a chaotic scene with protesters throwing stones, resulting in injuries to several officers, including a woman constable who sustained a head injury. Police vehicles were reportedly ransacked, and the windshield of a patrol car was smashed. A motorbike was also set ablaze in front of the Rabindranagar police station. Law enforcement responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, and reinforcements, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed to the scene to help bring the situation under control. The police also arrested four people in connection with the violence.
The BJP has seized on the incident to criticize the state government's handling of the situation. Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, has demanded the immediate deployment of central forces to restore order. Adhikari accused the TMC government of failing to protect people and alleged that police officers were attacked while the Director General of Police (DGP) appeared nonchalant. He stated his intention to approach the Calcutta High Court, seeking its intervention and the deployment of central forces, similar to what was ordered during previous communal tensions in Murshidabad.
The ruling TMC, however, has accused the BJP of trying to give a communal color to what they claim is a local issue. TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh urged that nothing should be done to aggravate the situation or disrupt amity and harmony, asserting that the police are making efforts to restore normalcy in the area.
Similar incidents have occurred in West Bengal in recent months. In April 2025, protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad turned violent, resulting in injuries to police officers and the torching of police vehicles. In May 2025, clashes broke out in Barasat following a social media post allegedly expressing support for Pakistan, leading to injuries and arrests.
The incident in Rabindranagar remains a sensitive issue, with both the BJP and TMC trading accusations. The demand for central forces highlights the deep political divisions in the state and the ongoing concerns about law and order. As investigations continue, the focus remains on restoring peace and preventing further escalation of tensions in the area.
