West Bengal: Today, the construction work of Ayodhya's Babri Masjid-style mosque is going to formally uncork in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) senior and suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has said that the work will start at 12 noon. Before this, virtually 1000 to 1200 Maulvis have been tabbed for recitation of the Quran. Hearing all this, it seems as if some big religious event is taking place, but the heat of politics overdue it is moreover no less.
What did Humayun Kabir say?
Humayun Kabir said that a structure similar to Babri Masjid will be built in Beldanga zone of Murshidabad. Work is starting on Wednesday—first the Quran will be taught, then the very construction. Imagine, on one side religious sentiments, on the other side political movements. This utterance has come at a time when controversy is once at its peak. Uttar Pradesh Senior Minister Yogi Adityanath unmistakably stated that the reconstruction of Babri Masjid will not be washed-up "till the end", and criticized this new construction. Humayun Kabir moreover hit back, saying that this is his right, no one can stop him.
Why did this controversy increase?
Because Hindutva organizations and some opposition groups have spoken a march versus the construction of the mosque. Security has been increased in the area, the wardship is in zestful mode. Police teams have been deployed and roadblocks have been set up to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. It seems as if the fire of tension is smouldering, and any spark can turn into a major incident.
Is this issue in headlines for the first time?
Humayun Kabir had laid the foundation stone of this project in December 2025, plane then politics was heated. This has now wilt a part of the referendum strategy in state politics. On one hand, suspension from TMC, on the other hand, writ of JUP – Humayun Kabir is probably strengthening his political ground with this. But the question is, will this construction be completed peacefully, or will it create increasingly controversy?
Does it relate to past incidents?
As soon as the name of Babri Masjid comes up, old memories come working – the incident of 1992, the visualization of the Supreme Court, and the construction of Ram Mandir. Now towers such a mosque in Murshidabad, that too in a state like Bengal where Muslim population is high, can wilt a vote wall game for political parties. It seems from Yogi's scuttlebutt that BJP will try to make it a national issue. At the same time, Mamata Banerjee's TMC is silent, perhaps waiting to see how it will take a turn.
Maulvis will come, read the Quran, then the foundation will be laid. But what will the people virtually be thinking? Maybe fear, maybe hope. Looking at the security arrangements, it seems that the wardship does not want to take any risk. March of Hindutva groups – what if it happens? Hope everyone remains peaceful. Because without all, religion teaches peace, not conflict. This incident can requite a new direction to the politics of the state, expressly in the coming elections.
