New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday termed the Malda incident a 'symptom of systemic collapse,' alleging a breakdown of law and order in West Bengal after seven judicial officers were reportedly held hostage for over nine hours, alongside violence and displacement in the Malda-Murshidabad region.

In a post on X, Dharmendra wrote, 'Malda is not an aberration--it is a symptom of systemic collapse under @MamataOfficial and AITCOfficial. Seven judicial officers held hostage for over nine hours, denied even food and water this reflects a complete breakdown of state authority. Add to this the violence in Malda-Murshidabad: displacement of Hindu families and the cold-blooded killing of Hargobindo and Chandan Das. All of this has unfolded under a state-controlled administrative machinery, accountability is direct and unavoidable. Even before the Supreme Court, it was downplayed as 'not political,' only for politics to be injected hours later. The contradiction is stark. West Bengal is watching--and the politics of fear-mongering by TMC's goons is nearing its end.'

https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/2039702899199201455?s=20

Earlier today, the BJP termed the Malda incident 'shocking' and alleged a breakdown of the law and order situation.

Majumdar questioned whether the provocation by Mamata Banerjee's party led to the situation and urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate the matter, including whether those removed from voter lists were Indian citizens.

'The entire nation has been left astonished - and indeed, shocked - by the nature of the incident that unfolded yesterday; it has become evident that law and order effectively cease to exist. Mamata Banerjee is behind this entire episode; it was precisely due to the provocative statements she issued that such an incident occurred. We welcome the cognisance taken by the Supreme Court regarding this matter,' Majumdar told reporters.

'The Election Commission should take cognisance of the incident and investigate to find out who was behind it. Did the instigation by Mamata Banerjee's party lead to this incident? It is also a matter of concern whether or not the people whose names were deleted are citizens of India,' he added.

The remarks came after the seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage by villagers in Malda district on Wednesday.

The standoff was triggered by mass deletions from the electoral rolls under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The incident was part of a broader wave of protests that paralysed Malda throughout the day, as demonstrators staged road blockades across national and state highways and key rural routes in at least five Assembly constituencies.

Reacting to the issue, the Supreme Court today described the Malda incident as a brazen and deliberate attempt to obstruct the administration of justice.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed concern that, despite prior intimation, the State authorities failed to provide prompt protection, leaving the officers without food or water for hours.

The court issued show-cause notices to senior State officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Director-General of Police, asking them to explain their inaction. It directed the Election Commission to requisition and deploy adequate central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers and the smooth conduct of the SIR adjudication process.

The bench also mandated strict security measures at all venues, restricted public entry, ordered an immediate assessment of threat perceptions to the officers and their families, and required compliance reports. It asked senior officials to be present virtually at the next hearing.

The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. (ANI)