Jodhpur, April 13 -- Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday strongly criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, blaming it for the recent violence in Murshidabad linked to protests over the new Waqf law. He also accused the state of indulging in vote-bank appeasement and remaining silent while the Hindu community faced targeted attacks.

"The conditions being created for the appeasement of votes under the Mamata Banerjee government are both unfortunate and condemnable," Shekhawat said.

He further accused the government of remaining "silent just for votes" when the Hindu majority has been "tortured" in recent times.

"In recent times, especially on the occasion of Ram Navami and continuous...