Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri raised concerns about the challenges he faced while attempting to shoot his upcoming film The Delhi Files in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Agnihotri claimed on social media that it was "impossible" to film in the district, citing a lack of support from both the local government and police. He described the region as feeling like a "different country," revealing that the lack of cooperation forced the team to build sets and shoot the film in Mumbai instead. He also highlighted what he described as a "demography imbalance" in the region, hinting at broader concerns.
Agnihotri's remarks come amid ongoing unrest in Murshidabad, which has seen violence following protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. The violence escalated on Saturday, with reports indicating that at least two people were killed, and more than 110 individuals were arrested in connection with the protests. Authorities have been conducting raids to quell the unrest, which has prompted heightened concerns about law and order in the region.
In response to the violence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for calm, urging citizens not to engage in "non-religious activity in the name of religion" and stated that the Waqf law would not be implemented in the state. Meanwhile, the Director General of Police, Rajeev Kumar, warned of strict action against those involved in the violence, while Jawed Shamim, the Additional Director General of Police for Law and Order, confirmed that police had to open fire to disperse a mob on Friday evening, leaving 15 police personnel injured in the process.
The situation in Murshidabad prompted swift judicial intervention. The Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces to maintain order in the affected areas. The court referred to the situation as “grave and volatile” and emphasized that it could not "turn a blind eye" to the ongoing violence. In light of the escalating situation, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with West Bengal's Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to review the law and order situation. The Ministry of Home Affairs expressed concern over the unrest and subsequently deployed additional Border Security Force personnel to the region.
As of now, over 118 people have been arrested, with more expected to be taken into custody as the investigation continues. Authorities have also appealed for calm, urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, which could further inflame tensions. The situation remains volatile, with efforts underway to restore peace and order to the region.
