A political storm is brewing in West Bengal after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari announced his opposition to the naming of a new mosque in Murshidabad after the Mughal emperor Babar.
The BJP leader emphasised that while temples and mosques can coexist peacefully in West Bengal, he would strongly resist any reference to Babar.
"There is no issue if Hindus build temples and Muslims construct mosques, but I will not allow Babar’s name to be written. In the coming days, the BJP will work to have Babar’s name removed from Bengal," Adhikari told ANI news agency.
His statement comes just a day after Jan Unnayan Party (JUP) leader Humayun Kabir began construction of the mosque in Murshidabad, which is designed to resemble the Babri Masjid.
The Debra MLA, who was recently suspended from the Trinamool Congress, announced that the mosque at Rejinagar in Beldanga would be completed within two years at an estimated cost of Rs 50-55 crore.
Kabir defended the project, stating, "To those who oppose this, I say step aside. People are free to follow their own religions and build temples, churches, or whatever they wish. I will not oppose anyone in the name of Islam. My effort is for Islam to please Allah and fulfill my devotion, not to impose anything."
However, hours after the foundation-laying ceremony, a local group filed an FIR at Maidan police station in Kolkata, demanding Kabir’s arrest for allegedly inciting communal unrest. Hazrat Mohammad Pervez Siddiqui, the complainant, argued that the project, which references the Babri Masjid, is stoking communal tensions in the state.
On Wednesday, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said the construction of mosque was aimed at "consolidating Muslim vote bank" but would have little impact on Bengal's voters.
"Humayun Kabir is building the mosque for the same reason Mamata Banerjee is constructing temples across the state, which is to consolidate voters along communal lines. That will have no impact on the electorate because people require development," he alleged.
On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said that the Babri Masjid would never be rebuilt till 'Qayamat' (Day of Judgment).
