Fresh violence broke out in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Monday during protests against recent changes to the Waqf laws, which regulate Muslim charitable properties. The unrest comes days after similar clashes in Murshidabad and other parts of the state, where three people were killed and over 200 arrested last week.

Videos from the scene showed dramatic visuals of police motorbikes set on fire and a police bus overturned with its windshield shattered. A heavy police deployment was visible in the area as authorities tried to regain control of the situation.

The protests are part of a growing wave of discontent across several Muslim-dominated districts in West Bengal, triggered by amendments to the Waqf law. Demonstrators have expressed concerns that the new provisions adversely impact the administration and rights over Waqf properties, which serve as community charitable assets.

Last week, violence had erupted in Murshidabad, where incidents of arson and blockades, including obstruction of railway tracks, were reported. The severity of the disturbances even reached the attention of the Supreme Court.

Authorities in South 24 Parganas are on alert as local protests intensify. Though details about Monday’s arrests or injuries are still emerging, the pattern of escalating violence across districts has raised concerns over law and order in the region.

Belgium has officially confirmed the arrest of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi and acknowledged receipt of India’s extradition request. Choksi, wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was detained in Belgium on April 12 and is currently under judicial custody.

In a statement to media, the Belgian federal public service of Justice said, “Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured.”

India pushes for extradition

India’s extradition request is now under Belgian legal scrutiny. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are seeking Choksi’s return to face charges related to fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit, allegedly issued between 2014 and 2017 through collusion with PNB officials.

These transactions led to a wrongful loss of Rs 6,097.63 crore to the public sector bank, while the overall scam is pegged at Rs 13,850 crore. Choksi fled India on January 2, 2018, and has since been evading legal proceedings.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal described Choksi’s arrest as a diplomatic win for the Narendra Modi-led government. “It is a matter of pride for India,” he stated. However, former diplomat KP Fabian warned against expecting a swift outcome. Citing the example of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana’s extradition from the US, which took 17 years, Fabian noted that similar delays could arise in Choksi’s case as well.

Legal defence cites political bias and health risks

Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told reporters that the defence would challenge the extradition on two grounds—political motivation and health concerns. “It is a political case and, secondly, because of the human condition in India,” he argued, claiming that Choksi’s human rights would be “greatly affected” if returned to India.

Aggarwal suggested that his client may not receive fair treatment due to political pressures and raised concerns about medical care for Choksi’s health condition.

While Belgian authorities refrained from commenting further, citing case-specific confidentiality, the arrest marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to bring back fugitive economic offenders.

The abrupt cancellation of Muktiparv, a scheduled event focused on the works and legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, has triggered sharp criticism and protests from students at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. The event, planned for April 13 as part of a series of art and literature events this month, was called off following objections reportedly raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The institute issued a statement citing concerns over controversy and law and order, stating that the event with external speakers would not be hosted “at this time.” However, students and organisers accused the administration of yielding to pressure and curbing academic discourse at a premier educational institution.

Event was scheduled to discuss caste, gender and Ambedkarite thought

Muktiparv was set to feature a panel of scholars, including Nazima Parveen, Deepali Salve, and Smita Patil—academicians known for their work on social equality and caste and gender dynamics. The event was designed to highlight Dr Ambedkar’s ideas on justice, social reform, and empowerment.

The cancellation came as a surprise to organisers, who said all necessary permissions had been obtained and earlier events under the same series had been conducted without issue. “We have been scheduling programmes since March. Due permissions were taken, and we successfully held an art exhibition last week,” one student said.

ABVP claims threat to social harmony

The Maharashtra wing of ABVP had publicly opposed the event on social media, labelling the invited speakers as “radicals” and alleged affiliates of the so-called “Tukde Tukde gang.” Their press release claimed that previous editions of Muktiparv included remarks that had hurt sentiments, and this year’s programme could potentially “divide society based on religion.”

Following the Pride March on campus by the Satrangi Club on April 6, tensions escalated. By April 10, ABVP representatives had approached the IISER director and Pune police demanding cancellation of the Muktiparv event.

Deepali Salve, one of the invited speakers, condemned the cancellation, accusing the ABVP of attempting to silence dissent and student voices. “RSS who left no stone unturned in dividing the country on the basis of caste and religion are today accusing those who hold the country together,” she said.

She further added, “Perhaps BJP and RSS have forgotten that the country will be governed by the Constitution, not Manusmriti.”

Students expressed anger at being kept in the dark about the decision and criticised the administration’s lack of communication. “The move is completely baseless, and no concrete reason has been stated. The lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” said one of the organisers.

The IISER student council pointed out that the complaint against the event labelled the speakers as “Dalit activists, journalists, and feminists who organised the ‘Night is Ours’ protest.” Many students and supporters of the event have since raised questions over institutional autonomy and the space for marginalised voices on campus.