Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Humayun Kabir initiated construction of the controversial 'Babri Masjid' in Beldanga in Murshidabad district, despite criticism from various quarters, in the presence of around 5,000 people and religious leaders, starting the programme by reciting verses from the Quran.
“The foundation stone laid on December 6, 2025, despite opposition and hatred; Allah is happy and accepted it, that is why we are able to do this. Babri Masjid is a historic step in the country,” said Humayun Kabir.
The mosque has received funding from various regions, including Bangladesh and the Middle East, and will be built over two years on 11 acres of land. The main gate is estimated to be 46 feet tall and 5 metres wide. The first floor of the prayer hall and underground area too will have a capacity for 12,000 people to offer namaz.
“There is no force that can put any hindrance, Allah is ready. To keep Allah happy, people of the Muslim community, without hurting another religion, we will have tolerance. We will have confidence in our religion, this is our aim,” added Kabir.
Meanwhile the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called the move "illegal and improper".
“It is happening in Mamata’s land as part of appeasement politics."
The TMC, however, distanced itself from Kabir when he went ahead with the foundation stone-laying ceremony on December 6, 2025, and expelled him from the party. The BJP refers to Kabir as the 'B-Team of TMC', a claim which the TMC refutes.
The BJP promised to erase all trace of Mughal influence in the state if they come to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“Writing a Mughal’s name is an insult to an Indian. Which is why BJP should be elected. If they form the government in April, it will be BJP’s duty to erase the name of Babar, Shahjahan, Aurengzeb, and Akbar to Humayun. The Mughals who came from outside to destroy West Bengal, inflicted atrocities on women and destroyed temples, took anti-religious steps, from Darjeeling to Digha and Coochbehar, BJP will erase their trace,” said BJP's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.
Meanwhile, Kabir has found himself in the middle of another controversy, with his relative Shafirul Islam’s properties worth Rs 10 crore attached in connection with a drug trafficking case on Monday.
The case also involves his relative Ziaur Rehman, who was accused of being caught with drugs earlier. Islam is his daughter Najma Sultana’s father-in-law, and Kabir believes he was being targeted. However, the Bharatpur MLA is unfazed.
“I will go to court. Before that on 14th, we will gherao the SP on the road ... Police have created a conspiracy against my daughter and son-in-law,” added Kabir.
The police, however, say that investigations are on under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and that the attached properties which were allegedly bought with money from drug trafficking would be auctioned.
Having launched his own party, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) in January, Kabir is looking to contest in around 135 of the 294 Assembly seats, and is confident of being a kingpin in West Bengal politics.