What Led to the Suspension of West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir? A Controversial Mosque Proposal Sparks Political Turmoil

Suspension of MLA Humayun Kabir

Kolkata/Baharampur: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has suspended its Bharatpur MLA, Humayun Kabir, following his controversial proposal to construct a mosque inspired by the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district.

Kabir, known for his provocative statements, announced plans to lay the mosque's foundation stone on December 6, coinciding with the anniversary of the Babri mosque's demolition in Ayodhya in 1992.

Senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim stated that Kabir's actions represented a serious breach of party discipline, especially as the TMC strives to uphold peace and communal harmony in the state.

Hakim, flanked by Murshidabad leaders Akhruzzaman and Niamat Sheikh, confirmed that the suspension was sanctioned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Kabir's involvement in communal politics contradicts TMC's principles. The party does not endorse such behavior, and he is now severed from the party," Hakim declared.

As a 'mutawalli' of a mosque in Kolkata, Hakim emphasized that stirring religious sentiments is unacceptable for a responsible political entity.

"While anyone can construct a mosque, it should not provoke communal tensions," he added.

The announcement of Kabir's suspension came just before CM Banerjee's anti-SIR rally in Baharampur, where Kabir was present when the news broke.

When approached by reporters, Kabir described the suspension as a "deliberate humiliation" after being invited to the rally.

He indicated plans to resign as an MLA and establish a new political party on December 22.

"I haven't received any formal notice, but I will resign either Friday or Monday," he stated.

Kabir plans to contest 135 out of 294 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections.

"I will reveal the TMC's double standards regarding secularism. They have misled minorities and have an unspoken alliance with the RSS-BJP," he claimed.

"The December 6 event will proceed as scheduled. If the authorities prevent me from laying the foundation stone, I will protest and accept arrest. I trust the judiciary," he asserted.

Kabir predicted that thousands would attend the December 6 event, potentially blocking NH-12, a crucial route connecting Kolkata and Siliguri.

During the rally, CM Banerjee reiterated her party's stance against communal politics, referencing Murshidabad's diverse history to warn against disrupting communal harmony.

"We must remember Murshidabad's history. Siraj-ud-Daulah is honored in every household here. This district is home to the nawabs and sacred sites for all faiths. The people will not tolerate riot politics," she stated, without directly mentioning Kabir.

State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya dismissed Kabir's suspension as a "drama."

"Kabir has made controversial statements for a long time, yet the TMC has taken no significant action. They aim to impose Babur's rule in Bengal," he alleged.

Kabir's choice of December 6 for the mosque's foundation has heightened tensions in the predominantly Muslim district, which experienced violence during protests over the Waqf Amendment Act earlier this year.

Governor CV Ananda Bose previously expressed concerns about potential law and order issues, urging the state government to consider Kabir's "preventive arrest."

Posters promoting the event have been vandalized in recent days, and officials confirmed that no permission has been granted for the gathering, leading to increased security measures.

This is not the first time Kabir has clashed with the TMC. In 2015, he was expelled from the party for six years after criticizing the Chief Minister and alleging nepotism.

He ran as an Independent in the 2016 assembly elections but lost to a Congress candidate. Later, he joined the Congress, then switched to the BJP before returning to the TMC and winning the Bharatpur seat in 2021.

Since then, he has accused district officials of being "RSS agents," publicly challenging the administration and hinting at forming a new political entity.

A senior TMC official remarked that Kabir's suspension was "inevitable" as he acted independently, ignoring warnings and embarrassing the party with his remarks, which led to multiple showcause notices.

The party could no longer afford to take risks with the upcoming assembly elections, especially after Kabir's announcement regarding the mosque, which the party had opposed from the beginning.