NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA has sparked a major political controversy after announcing that a foundation stone for a “Babri Masjid replica” would be laid in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on December 6, marking 33 years since the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya. TMC MLA Humayun Kabir had said that the ceremony would be held in Beldanga and claimed that “several Muslim leaders” would attend the event. “We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on 6th December in Beldanga, Murshidabad district,” he said, adding, “It will take three years to complete. Various Muslim leaders will participate in that event…” The declaration, made ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, drew immediate and strong reactions from the BJP, Congress and several other political leaders.
BJP slams move as ‘start of Mamata govt’s collapse’
Reacting strongly, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, “The foundation stone for Babri Masjid replica in Murshidabad will mark the start of Mamata govt’s collapse.”He further accused the TMC of deliberately stoking tensions. “The TMC is trying to provoke people by building a mosque in India in the name of Babri. What kind of method is this? Babar demolished the Ram Temple; now the Ram Temple has been built there. But they are deliberately creating tension, creating dispute between Hindus and Muslims on this issue… They are trying to polarize the situation through their MLA and are trying to incite Bangladeshi infiltrators… All this work is being done at the behest of Mamata Banerjee, and her MLAs are getting it done,” he added. Leader of opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari also dismissed the announcement, remarking, “First let him do it as TMC leaders only talk.” He further alleged that, “Mamata Banerjee told him to speak in this manner…”
‘TMC is targeting Muslim votes’
Meanwhile, BJP leader RP Singh also condemned Kabir’s remarks stating that, “TMC is targeting Muslim votes; that’s why they’re making such statements claiming they’re laying the foundation stone for the Babri Masjid. Their MLA in Murshidabad is saying this.””It’s unfortunate that, in pursuit of vote-bank politics, they’re promoting divisive issues in the country,” he added.Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said, “This message should be understood by the Hindus of Bengal. People like Humayun Kabir, who have the full support of Mamata Banerjee, are trying to intimidate and threaten Hindus. They are preparing to damage and destroy the atmosphere of harmony that exists in Bengal.” He added that this was not the first such instance, recalling Kabir’s earlier comment that “in Murshidabad, where 70% Muslims and 30% Hindus live, Muslims could, if they wished, throw Hindus into the waters of the Bhagirathi, Maa Ganga, at any time…”
Congress calls it ‘supari killer’ mindset
Congress leaders, too, criticised Kabir’s comments, calling them divisive. Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said, “Such remarks weaken social harmony, people who make such comments are like ‘supari killer’.” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused the ruling TMC of engaging in competitive religious politics, stating that “…Sometimes CM Mamata Banerjee moves temples from Puri, sometimes builds Mahakal temples in North Bengal to woo Hindu votes and show she is more Hindu than the BJP. We have no objection if temples or mosques are built, but politics that divides communities must be avoided and monitored by everyone…”The Murshidabad MP further reiterated that “trying to gain support in elections under the pretext of building a temple or a mosque is not right.””She (Mamata Banerjee) is playing temple politics to portray herself as more ‘Hindu-loving’ than the BJP. The other leaders of her party will also have to do something. In such a situation, they are announcing the construction of the Babri Masjid. We have no objection to this, whether a temple or a mosque is built, but trying to gain support in elections under the pretext of building a temple or a mosque is not right. We must ensure that there is no politics of polarisation…” he added.
‘Government should not build religious structures’: CPI(M)
CPI(M) State General Secretary V. Srinivas Rao criticised the announcement on constitutional grounds. “In my opinion, it is not the responsibility of the government to construct a mosque, temple, or any religious structure. According to the Constitution, governments must act as secular institutions, treating all citizens equally, regardless of religion…” he said.
AIMIM: ‘Mosques can be built anywhere’
Responding to the row, Bihar AIMIM chief and MLA Akhtarul Iman said the construction of a mosque should not be controversial. “A mosque can be constructed in any location, as it represents a fundamental principle of humanity. Temples, churches, mosques, and gurdwaras consistently promote the value of compassion,” he said.The TMC leadership has not formally commented on Kabir’s remarks, but the issue has already snowballed into a major political flashpoint as West Bengal heads toward a charged election season. Go to Source
