‘Will take 3 years to complete’: TMC MLA Humayun Kabir says Babri Masjid foundation stone to be laid on December 6 in West Bengal's Murshidabad; triggers row
Times of India | 22 November 2025
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator has sparked controversy in West Bengal after announcing that a foundation stone for a “Babri Masjid” would be laid in Murshidabad district on 6 December.
TMC MLA Humayun Kabir said the event would take place in Beldanga, and claimed that various Muslim leaders would attend.
“It will take three years to complete,” he told reporters on Friday.
West Bengal BJP secretary Priyanka Tibrewal criticised the announcement, describing it as “nothing but appeasement politics”.
“TMC’s secularism is religion-specific. When they say they will re-establish the Babri Masjid, I want to know who they will call to that Babri Masjid? Those Rohingyas who are now in fear of SIR running to the border areas? Build the Babri Masjid, where Babar came from? This is nothing but appeasement politics,” she alleged.
BJP leader Rahul Sinha also objected to what he described as an attempt to politicise the issue.
“Anyone can build a mosque, but it should be at a proper place. We have no objection to anyone following their religion. But those who are trying to politicise the mosque are insulting the Muslim religion,” he said. “If all Indian Muslims build a mosque together, there is no inconvenience.”
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu criticised Kabir’s remarks, saying his party remained focused on governance issues.
“We’re very clear. We talk about employment, education, health, security, women, farmers, labourers, equality and inclusion. The Congress Party always talks about the Constitution, and these should be the criteria for elections,” he said.
This is not the first time Kabir has made such a statement. In 2024, he had also spoken publicly about the idea of constructing a Babri Masjid-like mosque in the state.
Political parties have called for restraint as tensions heighten ahead of the 6 December anniversary.