Md Inzamul Islam Raja, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairman of Dhuliyan Municipality in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, is again in the spotlight. The TMC leader has recently shared several pictures of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on social media, prompting speculation over whether he is moving closer to the Congress.
The development comes when Raja is already facing pressure in Dhuliyan Municipality. According to municipality sources, 13 of its 21 councillors have submitted a no-confidence motion against him to the Shamsherganj block administration. The move cites “dictatorship and corruption”. Raja has not commented on the speculation about a possible party switch.
‘Elaan-E-Jung’ speech before Murshidabad violence
Raja’s latest Rahul Gandhi posts have also brought back attention to his controversial speech before the Murshidabad violence in April 2025.
Referring to a film called Elaan-E-Jung, Raja said, “We will have to declare war against Modi from today.” It turned out to be a dog-whistle against Hindus. He also said, “One day BJP will be uprooted from the soil of India.” The speech came a day before violence broke out in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act.
Anti-Hindu violence erupts in Murshidabad
On 11th April, large-scale violence erupted in Suti and Samserganj. The unrest involved vandalism, arson and attacks on Hindu homes, shops and temples. The violence continued until 12th April, and thousands of Hindu families were forced to leave their homes and move towards Malda.
The violence also reached Dhuliyan, where a private hospital was vandalised and later set on fire. A shopping mall was also damaged, while Malda Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jamal was injured while trying to control the mob.
Two people, youth Muddin Sheikh and minor Hasan Sheikh, were injured by gunfire during the unrest. Police said the firing may have come from the BSF. Both were taken to Jangipur Subdistrict Hospital and were reported to be out of danger.
West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said rumours may have triggered the situation and urged people not to pay attention to provocations. Farakka TMC MLA Monirul Islam’s house was also vandalised. According to the supplied report, 118 people were arrested in connection with the violence.
Hindu families recount attacks
The violence left several Hindu families describing killings and destruction. Parul Das said her husband Harogobindo Das and son Chandan Das were killed on 11th April. Four people, Kalu Nadar, Dildar Nadar, Inzmam Ul Haque and Ziaul Sheikh, were arrested in connection with the killings. She also said police reached the spot around four hours later.
Jharna Mondal described an attack on a temple and said her brother-in-law was assaulted and forced to chant “Allah” and “Bismillah”. She said the BSF later rescued villagers. Samar Das, a TMC supporter from Jafrabad, also described an attack on his home and said his family felt safer after the BSF arrived.
Against this backdrop, Raja’s latest social media posts praising Rahul Gandhi have added a fresh political twist to the controversy surrounding the TMC leader.
