Trinamool MP Yusuf Pathan lands in controversy over his silence on Murshidabad violence

Behrampore MP Yusuf Pathan faces backlash for silence on Murshidabad violence, sparking controversy within Trinamool Congress.

Kolkata 

West Bengal’s Behrampore Lok Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress leader, Yusuf Pathan has found himself tangled in a controversy as he remained silent about the communal violence in Murshidabad, which is not far from his constituency. 

On April 8, parts of Murshidabad district erupted in violence over the anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests. A section of protestors clashed with police where multiple police vehicles were set on fire. Three people have died till now in the communal clashes and over 274 arrested and 60 FIRs have been filed. 

On April 11, Mr Pathan posted a photo with him sipping tea and wrote, “Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment.” The cricketer-turned-politician’s constituency is only about 80kms away from the violence affected area which has led to widespread criticism, some from within the party. 

Mr. Pathan’s post led to a lot of backlashes from opposition parties including Bhartiya Janta Party state president and MP, Sukanta Majumdar. 

“TMC MP @iamyusufpathan is posting picture of him sipping tea and soaking in the moment while Hindus are getting slaughtered in Malda-Murshidabad region!” Mr Majumdar wrote on social media handle X. 

Many political leaders have visited the affected areas and met the aggrieved people, including five-time MP from Murshidabad and former Congress State president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.