Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) Posters announcing the construction of ‘Babri Masjid’ have surfaced in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, just days after Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir claimed that its foundation stone would be laid in Beldanga on December 6. There have been sharp political reactions to this development.
This initiative is being taken under the supervision of MLA Humayun Kabir.
Speaking to IANS, BJP West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the move and alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress was pushing the state towards instability.
Bhattacharya claimed, “The entire nation is watching how Mamata Banerjee has brought West Bengal to the brink of collapse. If anyone dares to suggest the reconstruction of Babri Masjid in India, the nation will not remain silent. The entire nation will stand against it.”
Bihar minister Nitin Nabin also criticized the announcement, saying, “Those who do not respect the authority of the High Court and still believe in living in the era of Babar should understand that such mentality has ended. Those who continue to think in that direction will get an appropriate response at the appropriate time.”
Recently, Humayun Kabir had reiterated his plans and said that many Muslim clerics and community leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.
“We will lay the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid at Beldanga in Murshidabad district on December 6. It will take about three years to complete the structure,” he had told reporters.
Given the historical and emotional significance attached to the Babri Masjid controversy, his announcement immediately revived political and social tensions.
However, Trinamool Congress distanced itself from Kabir’s public announcement. Trinamool Congress MLA Nirmal Ghosh clarified that Kabir’s statements were made in his personal capacity and were not endorsed by the party.
“His speeches have nothing to do with the party. They are his personal views and the party does not agree with them. He has crossed the line,” Ghosh said.
BJP increased its criticism by linking this announcement to appeasement politics. Earlier, on November 22, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had reacted sharply to Kabir’s statement, especially because the proposed date coincides with the anniversary of the demolition of the original structure in Ayodhya.
Speaking to IANS, Maurya had said, “On Indian soil, if they believe that a foreign invader like Babar – who demolished the Ram temple and erected a structure – should be respected, then they are deeply mistaken.”
He had said, “Babri Masjid was demolished by Kar Sevaks on 6 December 1992. Now, no such construction will be allowed on Indian soil.”
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal had also criticized Kabir for using the name “Babri”, calling it an “insult to the national sentiment”. He had accused Mamata Banerjee of allegedly encouraging the incident to strengthen her “jihadi vote bank”.
The foundation stone laying ceremony at Beldanga is scheduled on the same day when Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are scheduled to address a gathering in Kolkata on the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.
In a post on Twitter, Bansal had written, “TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has announced plans to lay the foundation stone of a mosque in the name of foreign invader Babar on December 6. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee is preparing to revive the Babri legend after being politically inactive for decades.”
–IANS
jk/red