With the violence during the anti-Waqf Act raging in parts of West Bengal, the political blame game between rival parties is providing no solution to the ongoing troubled situation in the state.
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00:00Vakfak protests turn violent in Bengal.
00:12Hindus flee homes alleging systematic targeting.
00:16Bengal minister says movement within state is not exodus.
00:40BJP demands probe by NIA.
00:46DMC cries conspiracy by center and border security force.
01:08BSF insists Hindus being encouraged to return home.
01:12Bengal police probes role of band, radical group, PFI.
01:32Bengal on edge after Murshidabad violence is our top focus on India first.
01:39The situation appears to be simmering in Bengal.
01:45More than 500 Hindus were forced to leave their homes in the sensitive Murshidabad border belt with Bangladesh.
01:53And those who left their homes, they say they were systematically targeted by an angry mob that was protesting the Vakf Act.
02:01Now, they are now being encouraged to slowly return home.
02:04A father and son duo.
02:07They used to make idols of Ma Durga, Ma Saraswati.
02:11The allegation is that they were dragged out of their houses and they were hacked to death.
02:17The mob was protesting the Vakf Act.
02:20The police are probing the role of elements associated with the banned radical Islamist organization, the Popular Front of India and its front organization, the Social Democratic Party of India or the SDPI, its political front.
02:34There's also the role of the Bangladeshi radicals on the radar.
02:39But what role did they have to play is a matter of investigation.
02:42The TMC and the BJP are at daggers drawn.
02:46And we'll get you all sides of this very disturbing development.
02:51I'm Gaurav Savant as always.
02:52Let's get started with the headlines on India first.
03:00India foils fugitive Mehul Chokhsi's plan to flee to Switzerland.
03:05Chokhsi arrested en route in Belgium authorities to seek extradition of the accused in the Punjab National Bank scam.
03:19Prime Minister Narendra Modi's big defense of the Vakf Act says land was looted in the name of Vakf accuses the Congress of spreading the vote bank virus on the issue.
03:35Telangana becomes the first state to implement quota within quota for Estee's move.
03:43After Telangana caste survey was stable, Chief Minister Rehwan Threddy hails the caste quota.
03:54Congress President Malik Arjun Kharge hits out an Ambedkar Jayanti.
03:57says the Modi government pays only lip service to Ambedkar, calls the BJP and RS as enemies of the Constitution.
04:11Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez and others fly to space in an all-women mission.
04:1711-minute space odyssey scripts history.
04:21Off-landing despite the sporty perception, there it is.
04:36Let me get you the latest from West Bengal where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for peace.
04:42She is warned against the use of religion for political gains or words to that effect.
04:47She said, and I quote, don't play ungodly games with religion because religion means respect.
04:55Religion means love.
04:57Religion means humanity.
04:59It means peace.
05:01Don't play with the law.
05:03Everyone has the right to hold peaceful protest with permission, but don't take law in your hands, whoever you are.
05:11Unquote.
05:11Earlier today, in South 24 Parganaz, Miss Grintz vandalized a police van and targeted several motorcycles after the police stopped members of the Indian Secular Front,
05:21led by Peerzada Noshad Siddiqui, from moving towards Kolkata for a rally opposing the VUKF Act.
05:27But political tensions in Bengal have skyrocketed with the BJP now demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency into what they claim were riots backed by the police and the Thrinamul Congress.
05:42The TMC is hit right back, accusing the BJP and the BSF of bringing in elements from Bangladesh to foment trouble.
05:49Anupa Mishra and Indrajit Kundu bring you our top story from Ground Zero.
05:57Murshidabad is slowly recovering from deadly anti-VUKF rights, which killed three and forced 500 local residents to turn refugees.
06:15Investigators have uncovered a disturbing trend.
06:24Children and teenagers belting stones, vandalizing shops and residences.
06:31Rioters have set fire to multiple homes, attacked residents, forcing a Hindu exodus.
06:37And now, a day later, the residents are slowly returning, under heavy police cover.
06:57We are trying to ensure that this case is dealt with the greatest sensitivity, the greatest responsibility,
07:24so that all the actual persons who had gone there and who had indulged in this kind of heinous crime are brought to work.
07:33Bengal cops blamed banned PFI front SDPI for brainwashing local Muslim community by spreading lies about snatching of Muslim land.
07:43The BJP sought a NIA probe, while Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning to rioters.
08:13ཛྷ�ྱ�བ ཤབཉས ཤིས ཏབ༠ོནས བྱའེད རེ བྱམམ བབ རད འདའེད རྐྱེ ཤནི བ བྱབར རེད རེད རྱད རྱན རྱང རྱད
08:43The TMC pointed fingers at BJP and Border Guard's BSF, saying they stoked fire.
09:13Some section of central agency, a section of BSF, and a section of two or three political parties, they were involved in this conspiracy.
09:29While scores have been arrested for the violence, will the real perpetrators behind Murshidabad riots be brought to book?
09:37With Anupam Mishra in Murshidabad, Bureau Report, India Today.
09:43The TMC
10:13Muslim children would not be left in this tough situation.
10:17They wouldn't just be fixing cycle punctures.
10:20Listen in.
10:21The TMC is a total of 100,000 hectare land in the country.
10:30The TMC is a total of 100,000 hectare land in the country.
10:35This property is a total of 100,000 hectare land in the country.
10:44The TMC is a total of 100,000 hectare land in the country.
10:53The TMC is a total of 100,000 hectare land in the country.
11:03But the bomb is a big hit for a whole.
11:09Sometimes Muslims…
11:13There was no harm to this.
11:17And this is the bomb.
11:21You can see that?
11:24The Venomals.
11:26The Portals.
11:27Thechedats…
11:29The torrents.
11:29The houseals.
11:31foreign
11:43foreign
12:01So reports that have emerged from Bengal in the past several days
12:05point to the fact or indicate more than 500 Hindus were forced to flee their homes
12:09when a certain section of society chose to oppose the VAKF Act
12:14and oppose it in the manner in which it did.
12:17Reports from Bengal also indicate Hindu homes and shops were singled out and targeted
12:21in Murshidabad where the demographic profile has changed over decades
12:25and we are looking at the consequences.
12:27Reports from Bengal also point to how a father and son, 74-year-old Hargobindu Das
12:35and his 40-year-old Chandan Das, both idol makers.
12:38They used to make idols of Maa Durga and Maa Saraswati.
12:41They were dragged out of their homes and hacked to death.
12:44Again, in the name of these protests, another person, Ijaz Ahmed, was reportedly killed and firing.
12:50So what role did this radical Islamist organization called the Popular Front of India
12:54and it's a banned organization have to play in this violence
12:57what elements and were elements from across the border in Bangladesh involved?
13:03Do protests in the name of VAKF Act justify what's happening in Bengal?
13:07Joining me on India first is Priyanka Tibriwal representing the Bharatiya Janta Party
13:12and Tawseep Ahmed Khan is an advocate, he's a political analyst,
13:16will give us the Trinmul perspective.
13:18And Tawseep Ahmed Khan, I want to begin by asking you, sir.
13:20You heard Kunal Ghosh when he spoke of the role of Border Security Force,
13:27some central agencies and some political parties and Bangladesh, elements from Bangladesh.
13:33Can you elaborate on that, sir?
13:34What role did these Bangladeshi elements have to play and what role did BSF have to play?
13:39Well, there are reports, there are various Trinmul leaders and spokespersons have clarified
13:47that there are reports of borders being opened in conspiracy,
13:55allowing some people to enter, do the violence and return.
14:00That is what has been told.
14:01It's all on record.
14:02So, violence carried out by Bangladeshis, is this what we understand?
14:07Bangladeshis carried out violence in Murchidabad?
14:11Outsiders are involved in the violence that is being carried out in Murchidabad
14:15because all the CCTV cameras and all the photos that have been seen,
14:21although more than 200 arrests have been made,
14:25so many faces are seen to be outside from Bengal.
14:29They are not the local residents of Bengal, not the local residents of Murchidabad.
14:33Therefore, there is a demand to launch a thorough and proper investigation into this violence.
14:41Who has this conspiracy?
14:43Obviously, with this kind of violence, only BJP stands to gain politically.
14:48And in fact, BJP leader Mr. Subhendu is heard saying that election will be held under President's rule,
14:57election which is due after a year.
15:00He is not asking for imposition of President's rule now.
15:03He is asking, he is focusing on election.
15:05Therefore, we can all understand where the focus is of BJP.
15:08They are not concerned about people of Bengal.
15:10So, let me get Priyanka Tibriwal to respond to this.
15:14Priyanka Tibriwal, Bangladeshis were involved in this writing or this violence in Murchidabad.
15:21Seems to be the TMC narrative or outsiders were involved.
15:26And BJP wants President's rule during elections because that is how BJP stands to gain from the rights.
15:33Is the TMC perspective, madam?
15:35Respond to that because TMC is accusing the BJP of fomenting trouble using the BSF, madam.
15:42What is a matter of fact here is that it is a matter of shame for the Chief Minister.
15:47After this exodus of Hindus from Murchidabad, we did not see a single tweet nor did we hear anything from the Chief Minister.
15:54Rather, before these riots started, the Chief Minister was heard saying number of times.
16:00You know, for that reason, I think she should be investigated and taken on arrest immediately.
16:05Because standing in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, she said that, you know,
16:09one particular religion you are speaking against, will you be able to control when they come on streets?
16:15What was that?
16:16That means that everything was premeditated and TMC knew it very well what they are doing.
16:21We have their ministers who are openly on video scene saying that we will not allow Hindus to stay in Murchidabad.
16:29They are openly seen on video saying that Mamata Banerji has just called us, received a call from Mamata Banerji.
16:36She is very happy about the kind of protest we are doing on the streets.
16:40So all this is seen from TMC.
16:43And today, I just want to ask, what is the intelligence of Mamata Banerji government doing in West Bengal?
16:48Now you are saying people came from the border.
16:51What was the PFI doing here?
16:53What was the SDPI doing here?
16:55What was your intelligence and your police doing?
16:57That is the biggest question.
16:58Jayanto Ghoshal, senior journalist also joins me and somebody who has his ear to the ground joins me on this broadcast.
17:06Jayanto, you heard both Tawseef and Priyanka Tibrawal respond to two points.
17:14One, if 500 Hindus were compelled to leave their homes in Muslim majority Murchidabad,
17:19Is there merit in the BJP saying that the state government was either unable or unwilling to protect all lives?
17:27This was appeasement politics and that this was a right that was planned?
17:32They are quoting what Mamata Banerji is purported to have said in the wake of the VAKFAT, sir.
17:40Gaurav, actually, I am not representative of any political party.
17:45So, I must analyze the situation as a journalist and I understand West Bengal because I am covering it for a pretty long time.
17:54So, what TMC's version that outsider's involvement, I am not disagreeing with the theory of TMC.
18:05It may be, it's a matter of investigation, but what Priyanka is saying, as a spokesperson, she is a very brilliant spokesperson and she is doing her own job.
18:16But, you know, who is the beneficiary?
18:19Out of this, you know, this Agatha Christie's detective story, always there is an angle that who is the beneficiary of this murder or this incident?
18:30Here, Mamata is not the beneficiary. If there is some sad incident took place and whether they are Hindus or Muslims, incidentally, it is Hindus.
18:42So, the blame game has started and immediately you can say that Mamata's failure and Mamata has done it.
18:50But why she will do it? Because she is not beneficiary.
18:54But yes, but yes, Gaurav, I must say one thing, what TMC spokesperson cannot say, that you have to accept the responsibility of the police.
19:06Because the border area, only five kilometer Bangladesh border, if there was no BSF vigilance, that is a center's job.
19:16But what state police was doing?
19:18No, if Mamata Banerjee is not a beneficiary, before I bring in Priyanka, Tipriwal and Tauseef, if Mamata Banerjee is not a beneficiary, you know, as is being said, and I am not saying she is or she isn't, my only point is, she is the chief minister, she has internal security, she has the police, catch the rioters, arrest the rioters, shoot the rioters if you have to protect lives.
19:40Now, who will explain this, whoever is the beneficiary of not, to Hargobindu Das's family or to Chandan Das's family, why were they dragged out of their homes and hacked?
19:51They have lost their lives.
19:53And Tauseef Khan, to protest is a democratic right in our country.
19:56Vandalism, arson, riots, dragging Hargobindu Das and Chandan Das from their homes, hacking them to death.
20:03Because BJP says it's state complicity.
20:05Shubindu Adhikari is saying the police are working as a cadre of the TMC, sir.
20:10Gaurav, you are right that the protest has to be peaceful.
20:16There is no room for rioting or arsoning or going beyond what is permissible under the law.
20:22Yes, it is the police responsibility.
20:25And before the high court order was passed, police had taken help of BSF and BSF even opened fire which caused death of civilian as well.
20:32More than 200 arrests have been made.
20:36The West Bengal DGP ADG law and order also held a press conference today and clarified that more than 200 arrests have been made.
20:45And the police is identifying everyone through videos available and raiding them and arresting them from wherever they are.
20:53The police is not going to spare anyone.
20:56But at the same time, there are elements mainly backed by BJP, Arsene and Bajrang Dal.
21:02They are spreading rumors.
21:03No, spreading rumors does not help the cause.
21:07The situation is under control from the last two days.
21:10And the police is making all efforts so that the situation does not get any worse.
21:16In fact, the people who have gone out of their homes should return and normalcy should be brought.
21:21Whereas, we have seen on the other side, rumor mongering is at its peak.
21:25And therefore, even the ADG has made a repeated request from all the people, you know, to be responsible, not to make this a political agenda, not to murder, spread ties.
21:38So, was a police vehicle burnt today by ISF or is that a rumor?
21:42Was a police vehicle burnt today?
21:44Were several motorcycles targeted today?
21:46Are these rumors or facts?
21:48Maybe you can tell us better.
21:49But let me also bring in Priyanka Tibriwal.
21:50Because TMC supporters, Priyanka Tibriwal say, Mamata Banerjee's government is very fair.
21:55It's impartial.
21:56So, this Indian secular front led by Peerzada Noshad Siddiqui.
22:02Now, Peerzada Noshad Siddiqui's supporters, when they tried to take out a rally against the Vakf board and apparently targeted or they're alleged to have targeted a police van, set it on fire, burnt some motorcycles.
22:14They were lathi charged.
22:15They were stopped from moving to Kolkata, Priyanka Tibriwal.
22:19Right.
22:19So, they just said, you know, that people from Bangladesh came to do all this.
22:23Then, who are the 200 plus person whom your police have arrested?
22:27If they are Bangladeshis, how are they arrested here in West Bengal?
22:30That is the question.
22:31Secondly, he said that, you know, Mamata Banerjee, see, today only we have seen the action that the police took today.
22:38If the police would have done, with ISF, if the police would have taken the same action seven days back, then we wouldn't have seen this kind of violence and vandalism which went on.
22:47He is saying that those Hindus whose exodus has happened from Murshidabad are now returning back to normal.
22:55They are going back to their houses.
22:56But where are the houses?
22:57I have spoken to more than 200 people.
23:00Their houses have been torched.
23:01Where will they go back?
23:02They are all taking shelter in a village in Malda.
23:06That is the reality of it.
23:07Not just that.
23:08Today itself, we have seen that Firad Hakim, one of the close confidant of Mamata, what has he said on this exodus of Hindus in Murshidabad?
23:18He is, and let me also say that he is the same man who once said that, you know, Islam is the best dharma.
23:24And anybody who is not born under Islam, you know, they are not lucky.
23:28They are unfortunate.
23:29He is the same person who addressed one of the part of Calcutta as mini Pakistan.
23:32Today, he is saying that everything is okay.
23:35He is saying nothing has absolutely happened.
23:37Everything is okay.
23:38For those Hindus who had to flee from Murshidabad, for them, he is saying it doesn't matter.
23:44They are in Bengal only.
23:45It's just that from Murshidabad, they have gone to Malda.
23:48So, Jaintu Dada, clearly, everything is not okay in Bengal.
23:54Because BJP, you know, this border belt, this border belt and that areas, you know, like Murshidabad, dominated by a certain demographic profile.
24:04Some argue it almost looks like Bangladesh.
24:07It's turned into Bangladesh.
24:08You can't make out the difference.
24:09So much illegal immigration has taken place from there.
24:12Is there merit in the allegation that this is vote bank politics that is playing out and that is why action is either not being taken or is being taken half-heartedly or is the BJP crying wolf, sir?
24:28No, actually, you know, I don't want to see it as a Hindu-Muslim, this issue, because it's a deterioration of the law and order.
24:38And it's an issue, actually, unfortunately, if you play the communal perspective for vote bank politics, for the both sides, actually, it is very bad politics for the harm of people.
24:54You know, this riot, the complaint is that you are trying to manufacture the strife, the communal strife, so that you can gain.
25:06Hold on, let's understand this straight.
25:08Vak fact is passed by parliament.
25:11People come out on the streets to protest.
25:13This is not a riot.
25:13This is not a riot.
25:15This is exodus of Hindus.
25:17Please, riot is when people from both the communities are killed or they act upon each other.
25:22That is a riot.
25:23But over here, only Hindus were targeted.
25:26Not a single masjid was attacked.
25:28No, no, no.
25:28Please name all the people.
25:29I understand.
25:30Temples were burned.
25:31Temples were destroyed.
25:33Houses of Hindus were set on fire.
25:35So that can't be a riot.
25:35Who was killed by bullet?
25:38Please don't speak in between.
25:40No, no.
25:41No, no.
25:41No, no.
25:41I understand.
25:43Jayantota, the last 30 seconds I have on this part of the show.
25:46Jayantota, closing comments, sir.
25:47No, no, no, no.
25:48What Vyanka is saying, I understand her logic.
25:51But you know, I am also Hindu.
25:53So it's not, I don't happy with this incident.
25:58But you know, the main issue is that last Ram Namambi day, there was a lot of apprehension.
26:06But we have seen the communal harmony.
26:08It was a major, that time it was a major success of the West Bengal government that Muslim also participated with the Hindu.
26:14Well, then that is what should happen.
26:17Why should a Hargobind Das, why should a Hargobind Das and a Chandan Das lose their lives?
26:23Why should 500 Hindus have to leave their homes if all is well in Bengal?
26:27I'll leave you, I'll leave our viewers, I'll leave our viewers to judge for themselves what's happening in Bengal.
26:33I have run out of time on this part of the show, but this is a story we'll be tracking very closely.
26:38To all my guests, many thanks for joining me.