West Bengal: Tension in Murshidabad as suspended TMC MLA lays foundation for Babri-style mosque
Event was held under tight security and deliberately timed to coincide with December 6 anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992
PTC Web Desk: Tension gripped West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Saturday after suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque designed to resemble the Babri Masjid. The event was held under tight security and deliberately timed to coincide with the December 6 anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992.
A Quran recitation took place at noon, followed by the foundation-laying ceremony. Kabir claimed that the event drew thousands of people, including two clerics from Saudi Arabia. Supporters were seen carrying bricks on their heads, while the area in Beldanga was heavily guarded by riot police and central forces to avoid any communal flare-up.
Murshidabad, where 67% of the population is Muslim, has a history of tension. Just a few months ago, in April, clashes during protests against the Waqf Bill left five persons dead and several injured. This time, nearly 3,000 volunteers were mobilised to keep roads clear and ensure that NH-12 remained open. Seven catering groups were hired to cook shahi biryani for almost 60,000 persons, including guests and local residents. According to a close aide of Kabir, around
Rs 30 lakh was spent on food alone, with the total event budget crossing Rs 70 lakh.
Kabir was suspended by the TMC earlier this week over the controversial mosque plan. His announcement of the ceremony had sparked sharp criticism from the BJP. The matter reached the Calcutta High Court, which allowed the event to go ahead but asked the state government to ensure there was no law-and-order problem.
Kabir, who has earlier been with the Congress and BJP, alleged that attempts were being made to disturb the programme. However, he claimed the police and district administration were fully cooperating.
The ruling TMC has distanced itself from Kabir’s event and instead observed ‘Samhati Diwas’ (Unity Day) to promote communal harmony.
BJP vs TMC
The BJP accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to polarise voters by allowing such an event. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the project was politically motivated and aimed at creating unrest for electoral gains.
Former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh also claimed that the ruling party was provoking communal tension ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, using Kabir as a “freelancer”.
The TMC rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. Party leaders alleged Kabir was actually working at the behest of the BJP to create trouble and insisted that the people of Murshidabad did not support such provocations.