Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir has triggered a major political controversy after announcing that he will lay the foundation stone of a “Babri Masjid” structure in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on December 6, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya.

Speaking to the media, Kabir said,
“We will lay the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid on December 6 at Beldanga. The structure will take three years to complete. Nearly 2 lakh people and around 400 prominent personalities are expected to attend.”

Kabir claimed he had made this promise last year, adding that the event would mark a symbolic assertion by the community.

Political Tempers Rise Across Bengal

Kabir’s announcement has ignited an intense political debate, with opposition parties accusing the TMC of appeasement politics ahead of the upcoming elections. The move comes at a time when West Bengal’s political landscape is already charged due to the SIR (Systematic Investigation and Revision) voter verification drive, which has led to widespread discussions around alleged infiltration and changes in demographic patterns.

The BJP, Congress, AIMIM, and regional bodies are interpreting Kabir’s statement as a TMC strategy to consolidate Muslim votes amid fears of fragmentation within the community.

Mamata Banerjee’s Parallel Rally Raises Eyebrows

Adding to the controversy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee will reportedly address a large rally in Kolkata on the same day to commemorate the demolition anniversary.

Critics argue that the sudden revival of the Babri Masjid issue—after decades of minimal political spotlight—signals electoral anxiety.

BSP spokesperson Vinod Mansal alleged that the TMC is attempting to “revive Babri for political mileage after 33 years”, questioning why such commemorations were not held in previous years.

BJP Hits Back: ‘Appeasement Politics at Its Peak’

State BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal condemned the TMC’s move, calling it a deliberate attempt to exploit religious sentiments:

“This is nothing but appeasement politics. Who is this Babri Masjid being built for? Babar never even entered Bengal. Linking Bengal’s Muslims with Babar is historically incorrect and politically motivated.”

The BJP also hinted that the announcement aims to influence voters allegedly migrating due to the SIR process, especially in border districts where demographic changes have raised political concerns.

Demographic Concerns and Electoral Calculations

Internal political chatter suggests that the TMC fears potential erosion of its Muslim vote base—traditionally its strongest support segment—due to:

• The SIR verification process
• Rising competition from Congress and AIMIM
• Local influences such as Furfura Sharif groups
• Shifting sentiments among Muslim women and younger voters

Reports indicate unusually high surges in voter figures in some border districts, further intensifying the political tussle.

A Symbolic Battle Ahead of Elections

The planned foundation ceremony in Beldanga, paired with the Kolkata rally, highlights how the Babri Masjid narrative has resurfaced in Bengal’s politics—not as a religious issue, but as a high-stakes electoral strategy.

With the official site for the proposed Babri Masjid in Ayodhya still untouched, the announcement of a symbolic structure in Murshidabad has become a talking point for both TMC supporters and its critics.

As West Bengal heads into an increasingly competitive political season, the re-emergence of Babri Masjid rhetoric is expected to shape the state’s discourse over the coming months.