New Delhi, April 2 -- 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...