Humayun Kabir Lays Foundation of Babri Masjid-Style Mosque, TMC Suspends MLA in West Bengal

He also claimed that lakhs of people would join the December 6 gathering. File Photo.

On Saturday, Humayun Kabir, who was recently suspended from Trinamool Congress (TMC), laid a foundation stone for a mosque modelled on the demolished Babri Masjid. The event was held at Rejinagar in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district under heavy security.

Kabir took to the dais alongside a group of clerics, and as slogans of “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar” rang out, he cut the ribbon. Since morning, thousands had gathered at the venue.

Authorities took measures for high security and deployed large contingents of state police, RAF and central forces across Rejinagar and neighbouring Beldanga to maintain law and order.

Kabir’s decision to hold the ceremony on December 6, which is the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, had already triggered political and communal sensitivity. Earlier this week, TMC had suspended him for what the party described as “communal politics”.

Senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim, in a statement on suspension, said Kabir’s conduct amounted to gross indiscipline and undermined the party’s commitment towards communal harmony. The party declared that Kabir would have no relation with TMC.

Kabir affirmed earlier that despite the suspension he would not cancel the programme. He had threatened to sit on a dharna or seek arrest if authorities tried to stop him. He also claimed that lakhs of people would join the December 6 gathering.

The foundation-stone laying has stirred debate over communal tension and political messaging. According to critics, the act may trigger religious sensitivities, while supporters among attendees framed it as a religious and symbolic gesture. As of Saturday afternoon, law and order agencies reported that the event passed without major incident under tight security.

Source: The Tribune