Babri Masjid foundation West Bengal: West Bengal has been drawn into a major political controversy over the proposed foundation laying of a Babri Masjid. Trinamool Congress MLA and close aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Humayun Kabir, has reiterated that a ‘Babri Masjid’ will be built in Murshidabad and that the foundation stone ceremony will take place on December 6.
Kabir's remarks came after posters of the disputed structure in Ayodhya, which was demolished on December 6, 1992, emerged across the district.
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“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 the event," Kabir said.
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Babri Masjid Foundation stone laying day - December 6
The TMC MLA Humayun Kabir told reporters that several Muslim leaders were expected to attend the ceremony and claimed the structure would take three years to complete.
“We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid on 6th December in Beldanga, Murshidabad district," Kabir said.
What triggered controversy?
Kabir’s announcement sparked debate across the country, prompting statements from both the BJP and the TMC. His move is being seen as something that could stir communal tension, as the Babri Masjid issue remains sensitive in India.
The BJP slammed the move, calling it a clear example of “appeasement politics." “TMC’s secularism is religion-specific," state BJP secretary Priyanka Tibrewal said. “Who will they invite to this Babri Masjid? This is nothing but appeasement."
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress leader, calling his announcement an example of "appeasement politics for votes".
"This is the appeasement pro-max politics. TMC now means 'Tushti Karan Mujhe Chahiye'. This controversial Humayun Kabir, who says he will chop off Hindus and throw them into Bhagirath, is now making yet another controversial statement because their philosophy is, give Hindus gali and take vote bank ki tali (abuse Hindus to gain a vote bank),” Poonawalla told ANI news agency.
'Foundation of Bangladesh'
Union minister Giriraj Singh, too, hit out at Kabir and the ruling party, saying the Trinamool Congress was not constructing a mosque but rather laying the foundation stone of a "Bangladesh" in West Bengal.
"Hindus of Bengal should not forget that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC government run on the support of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The way they are playing politics on the dead bodies of Hindus will not last long,” he said.
How TMC reacted
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Nirmal Ghosh has distanced himself and the party from MLA Humayun Kabir's statement, saying that his party colleague has "gone beyond the limits" and that any statements he has made are "his own" with the party not agreeing with them at all.
"He (Humayun Kabir) is not in contact with the party. His speeches have nothing to do with the party. They are his own statements, but the party doesn't agree with them. He has gone beyond the limits," Nirmal Ghosh told ANI on Tuesday.