Not a single BJP worker will allow Babri Masjid: Shah in Jamalpur
The Statesman | 27 April 2026
Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that the BJP had no hidden alliance with Humayun Kabir’s party, and declared that the party “would not allow a Babri Masjid to be built in West Bengal”.
Targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while campaigning for BJP’s Jamalpur candidate Arun Halder in East Burdwan, Mr Shah said: “Didi is raising slogans about Ram Mandir while, at the same time, allowing the construction of a Babri Masjid with Humayun. As long as even a single BJP worker is alive, we will not permit a Babri Masjid to be built.”
He was addressing a campaign rally at Selimabad in Jamalpur this afternoon in support of Mr Halder, who is also a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Mr Shah claimed that the BJP had already secured 110 out of 152 seats in the first phase of polling. “Didi has already been wiped out. After 4 May, I will offer Bardhaman’s sitabhog to Narendra Modi,” he said.
Referring to incidents at RG Kar, Sandeshkhali and Durgapur Medical College, Mr Shah alleged that women had faced the worst atrocities during Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. “Didi says women should not step out after 7 p.m. If the BJP comes to power, women will be able to move freely even at 1 a.m. Those who harass them will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
He added: “The Chief Minister is a woman. She should be ashamed that she could not ensure women’s safety. Our resolve is clear: anyone who targets our mothers and sisters will be sent to jail.”
The Jamalpur constituency has a significant population of Matua refugees. Several families in the area had reportedly received notices last year under the Foreigners Act, 1946, questioning their nationality. Seeking to reassure them, Mr Shah said: “Didi is threatening the Matuas. The Matua community are our own people. The BJP will grant them citizenship. Do not be afraid. After 5 May, work on citizenship will begin.”
He also pledged to implement a Uniform Civil Code, saying: “Those who marry multiple times ~ you know who ~ will not be allowed to do so after 5 May.”
Raising the issue of illegal infiltration, Mr Shah said: “Should infiltrators be driven out? They are taking away jobs and rations. Didi and her nephew are allowing them. After 5 May, we will remove infiltrators one by one from Bengal.”
Asking the crowd whether development work had been carried out in Jamalpur and receiving a negative response, Mr Shah said: “Not a single railway underpass has been built. There are tolls on sand and cement ~ this is essentially a ‘Bhaipo tax’.” He promised that a BJP government would dismantle all such “syndicates” from 6 May.
Mr Shah also warned those allegedly backed by the TMC who engage in intimidation. “Didi’s goons are harassing you. After 29 April they should not step out. After 5 May, we will take strict action against them,” he said, adding: “For now, I am only issuing a warning. Mend your ways, or you will find yourselves behind bars.”