TMCs Humayun Kabir sparks controversy with call to lay Babri Masjid foundation in Murshidabad Humayun Kabir'r Babri Masjid comment has triggered a row in Bengal. Photo: IBNS File.

TMCs Humayun Kabir sparks controversy with call to lay Babri Masjid foundation in Murshidabad

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 23 Nov 2025, 05:04 am

A major political row has erupted in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir announced that he plans to lay the foundation stone for a “Babri Masjid” on December 6 in Murshidabad's Beldanga, the same date that marks 33 years since the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.

Kabir’s statement instantly triggered strong reactions across political and religious circles.

The BJP came down heavily on the TMC leader, with party spokesperson Yaser Jilani accusing Kabir of deliberately trying to stoke communal tension for political gain.

According to Jilani, TMC leaders, especially Humayun Kabir, thrive on divisive politics.

"He does politics purely for appeasement. He is intentionally creating communal tension in Bengal. He knows that in the upcoming elections, the people will reject TMC, and a wave of political change is rising there. Because of this restlessness, Humayun Kabir and senior TMC leaders are trying to mislead people in every possible way to protect their vote bank," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Kabir had earlier claimed that the structure would take three years to complete and that several Muslim leaders would attend the December 6 event.

"We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on December 6 in Beldanga, Murshidabad district. It will take three years to complete. Various Muslim leaders will participate in that event," he said.

His remarks sparked strong reactions across political and religious circles.

The Congress struck a more nuanced tone. Senior leader Sandeep Dikshit said, “Anyone is free to build a mosque, but why link it to Babri? If they want to build it, they can.”

Congress MP Surendra Rajput echoed a similar sentiment, adding, “People build mosques, temples, churches, gurudwaras- what is the controversy here? Every religion has the right to build its places of worship.”

The All India Imam Association offered a theological perspective. President Maulana Sajid Rashidi remarked, “Even if hundreds of new structures are named Babri Masjid, the original mosque in Ayodhya remains unchanged in religious significance.”