Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir Lays Foundation Stone for Controversial ‘Babri Masjid-style’ Mosque in Murshidabad
Suspended TMC Member of the Legislative Assembly Humayun Kabir is scheduled to lay the first stone of a 'Babri Masjid-style' mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad, West Bengal today which has generated a lot of controversies.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 6: Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir will lay the foundation stone for a replica of the "Babri Masjid" in Murshidabad, West Bengal on Sunday. Kabir has made his decision to build the mosque, and local law enforcement officials have increased their patrols because of perceived threats. He has the right to build a mosque, but many people want to spread lies about him.
Interestingly, Kabir laid down the stone forming his mosque in India on the 33 anniversary of the demolition of the original Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India.
BJP Leaders Criticize Mosque Construction
Kabir’s announcement of the construction of a mosque replica has sparked a political firestorm in West Bengal, which is set to host assembly elections next year. It is in the backdrop of a BJP attack on the TMC who claim they are just trying to gain favor with minors on their way to the assembly elections early.
BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya said, "This so-called mosque project is not a religious effort but a political one, designed to inflame emotions and consolidate vote banks... Mamata Banerjee will not stop at anything, even if it means pushing West Bengal towards turmoil."
"This is a law and order issue. Even though the court has allowed it, this is part of a conspiracy by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She is allowing her TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to do this and make such statements," BJP leader Agnimitra Paul also said in a statement regarding the matter.
TMC Condemns Kabir’s Actions, Suspends MLA for Inflammatory Statements
TMC ultimately distanced itself from Kabir following his actions; TMC suspended Kabir due to his inflammatory statements. According to TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, Kabir had been warned about his comments in the past.
"We noticed that one of our MLAs from Murshidabad suddenly declared that he would build the Babri masjid. Why suddenly Babri masjid? We already warned him. We believe in secular theory. As per the decision of our party, we are suspending MLA Humayun Kabir," he said.
Heightened Security and Large Religious Gathering
After Kabir's announcement about the foundation stone laying for the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, there has been an influx of people into the district. Earlier Kabir had claimed that the attendance would be 300,000 people, based on these numbers, security has been increased in the area by having RAF, District Police and Central Forces patrolling along both sides of the National Highway (12).
The Islamic Clerics from Saudi Arabia are expected to attend this event. Kabir said on Saturday that he received confirmation this week from many religious leaders that will come from different Indian states. He has also hired seven Murshidabad based catering companies to prepare the 'Shahi Biryani' for these people at the location.
