Controversial Mosque Foundation Laid in West Bengal Amid Political Tensions
The recent foundation-laying ceremony for a mosque in West Bengal by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has ignited a political storm. Scheduled on December 6, the event drew thousands and was marked by heavy security due to its controversial nature. The BJP accused the TMC of attempting to polarize communities for political gain, while the TMC dismissed these allegations. Concerns have been raised about potential unrest in the communally sensitive Beldanga area, with implications for law and order. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in West Bengal's political landscape, raising questions about the intersection of religion and politics.
Dec 6, 2025, 14:34 IST
Foundation Ceremony of Mosque Sparks Political Controversy
On Saturday, suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad district's Rejinagar, reminiscent of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The event, attended by numerous clerics, featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, accompanied by chants of "Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar" from the thousands gathered since morning. The ceremony was conducted under tight security, with significant deployments of police, RAF, and central forces in Rejinagar and the surrounding Beldanga area to maintain law and order.
Kabir, who was suspended from the Trinamool Congress earlier this week for alleged involvement in communal politics, had announced the foundation-laying event earlier this month, which drew political criticism and prompted the state administration to enhance security measures. The date chosen for the ceremony, December 6, marks the anniversary of the Babri Masjid's demolition.
The plan to establish a 'Babri Masjid-style' mosque by MLA Humayun Kabir has ignited a political uproar in West Bengal. The BJP accused the Trinamool Congress, which suspended Kabir, of attempting to polarize the community, while the ruling party dismissed these claims as baseless. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on social media, alleging that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is using the MLA to polarize Muslims for political gain, raising "serious concerns" based on reports from Beldanga.
Malviya claimed that Kabir's supporters were seen transporting bricks for the mosque's construction and that the MLA asserted he had police backing. He described Beldanga as one of the state's most communally sensitive areas, warning that any unrest could disrupt National Highway 12, a vital link between North and South Bengal, with "serious implications for law and order and even national security."
He further stated that this so-called mosque project is not a religious initiative but a political maneuver aimed at inciting emotions and strengthening a vote bank. Instead of serving the community, it poses a significant threat to the stability of West Bengal. He concluded by asserting that Mamata Banerjee would stop at nothing, even if it meant pushing West Bengal into turmoil.