APCR Report: Post-Election Violence Targets Muslims and Opposition in West Bengal

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has published a report detailing serious violence and intimidation against Muslims and political opponents in West Bengal after the BJP won the 2026 Assembly elections. The report covers events from May 4 to May 7 across at least eight districts, including Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata Metro region, Murshidabad, Howrah, Malda, and Birbhum. APCR recorded 34 separate incidents during this period. According to the report, at least two people died in the violence. One victim was a Muslim man killed while trying to protect a mosque in Gosanimari, Cooch Behar. Several mosques were attacked during political processions and clashes in Cooch Behar, Howrah, Barasat, Murshidabad, and South 24 Parganas. In Gosanimari, a mosque was targeted during a "Jai Shri Ram" procession, and Muslim-owned houses in Nandina and Abutra villages were vandalised by mobs. The report claims Muslim-owned hotels, meat shops, cattle markets, and businesses were deliberately targeted. Two Muslim-owned hotels were allegedly demolished in Barasat, while meat shops and non-vegetarian food businesses were attacked or forced to shut down in Kolkata and other districts. At least 54 properties were damaged, and around 50 Muslims were directly affected physically, economically, or psychologically. APCR alleged intimidation extended beyond physical violence, including Muslim women being stopped from wearing hijab in parts of Howrah. Threats against cattle traders and slaughterhouses forced several cattle markets to close. The organisation also accused political rally groups of conducting bulldozer processions and threatening minorities. There were attempts to rename roads and public spaces associated with Muslim names, such as "Sanaullah Mancha" and "Sirajuddaula Udyan." The report also documented attacks on All India Trinamool Congress offices and residences, with several being occupied or vandalised after election results. BJP victory processions allegedly included abusive slogans against political opponents and minority groups. APCR compiled the report using local sources due to limited mainstream media coverage, stating the violence reflected a "wider climate of hostility" rather than isolated incidents.