TMC leader donates Rs 1.11 lakh for Babri mosque promoted by Humayun
The Statesman | 21 February 2026
A political controversy has erupted in Murshidabad after a Trinamul Congress leader extended financial assistance for the construction of a mosque associated with suspended TMC leader Humayun Kabir.
Safiuzzaman Sheikh, block president of the Trinamul Congress in Naoda and education karmadhyaksha of the Murshidabad Zilla Parishad, donated Rs 1.11 lakh on the first day of Ramzan for the construction of the proposed Babri Mosque. The amount was handed over through a bank cheque issued in the name of the mosque trust under the “West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India”. The contribution has triggered fresh debate in the political arena, particularly in the backdrop of Humayun Kabir’s recent political moves.
Kabir has been in the spotlight after reportedly holding meetings with CPI-M leaders and engaging in discussions with ISF MLA Naushad Siddique. He had also publicly expressed personal support for senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Only a week ago, Trinamul MLA and Murshidabad district chairman Niyamat Sheikh had voiced support for the proposed mosque. Safiuzzaman Sheikh has now gone a step further by offering direct financial assistance. Speaking at a recent block-level meeting, he had declared: “We will build the mosque. The people of Murshidabad district will build it.”
Humayun Kabir was suspended by the Trinamul Congress after making a series of remarks against the party. At the time of his suspension, senior Trinamul leader Firhad Hakim had stated that raising the issue of constructing a Babri Mosque would rekindle controversy and push society towards religious polarisation, something the party does not endorse. The Trinamul leadership has repeatedly indicated its discomfort with mixing religion and politics, making the latest development politically significant as the state heads towards elections.
A local BJP leader said that the construction of the Babri Mosque is the brainchild of the TMC so this is a common phenomenon.