West Bengal: Ex-TMC MLA Humayun Kabir takes part in 'Babri Yatra' to build support for mosque replica construction

A day after construction of the 'Babri Masjid' began at Beldanga in the Murshidabad district, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Humayun Kabir set out on a 22km Babri Yatra on a motorcycle on Thursday morning, wearing a turban on his head.

Along with Kabir were his supporters, seen following him in cars and two-wheelers.

The Babri Yatra took place under the banner of the West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India. Kabir did not take police permission for the rally and cut short the 265km rally, which was to span three districts—from Palashi in Nadia to Itahar in the North Dinajpur district.

“Are vehicles not plying between Kolkata and North Bengal? Are any cars, lorry or buses shut on the highway? Then what is the problem if I did the yatra? I will not take any permission. I have vehicles with taxes paid and registration done. I can go in those vehicles where I want in Bengal, I will not take any permission,” said Humayun Kabir.

The initial plan was to have 100 vehicles and a total of 600 people, which was later made a simple procession.

The stated reason for the rally was to create awareness among people about the need for the Babri Masjid and to counter negative information about the construction, which would take two years to complete.

Funds for the construction of the mosque have come from different parts of the world. It will have a capacity of 12,000 people each on two different floors.

“We will give a befitting reply to Trinamool Congress (TMC) politically and break BJP’s dream. We don’t take anyone’s help,” declared Kabir, who is confident of his political acumen after founding the Janata Unayan Party (JUP) in January, after being expelled from TMC for going ahead with the construction of the mosque.

 “Let election schedule be declared on March 5th by Election Commission (EC), Mamata Banerjee will become a caretaker Chief Minister, when voting takes places, people in Mamata Banerjee’s party won’t be found,” Kabir added.

TMC responded by saying that Kabir’s words had no merit.

“When BJP is talking about probability, there is an if. So ifs and buts, there is a big difference between the cup and lips," pointed out TMC leader Bratya Basu.

Kabir also faced flak for holding the motorcycle rally amid higher secondary examinations, which is said to have impacted these students.

“There is relaxation (in rules) for ... Humayun Kabir who is a communal leader; he has surrendered to (TMC). Bring BJP (to power), we will erase Babar’s name. If Mamata (Banerjee) stays, Babar will remain,” said BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

The TMC responded to Adhikari’s statement of erasing traces of Babar and other Mughal leaders from West Bengal.

“Everyone knows (BJP) are communal. What is Sanatan government? 'Sanatan' means age-old. What does this signify? I don’t know what Humayun Kabir is saying and doing. Everyone knows BJP are communal and want to use religion to come to power. This is not done. There is a Constitution,” said TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya.  

Kabir is trying to keep up the hype over the Babri Masjid construction with less than 5,000 people at the ceremony on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the December 6, 2025, foundation stone-laying ceremony had lakhs of minority community supporters from across different districts carrying bricks and cement on their heads to show solidarity.

The Bharatpur MLA wants to show his defiance to political naysayers with his new party and also gain voter confidence and divert most of the minority votes in Murshidabad and neighbouring districts that favour the TMC.