In a development that echoes the long-shadowed history of the Ayodhya dispute, West Bengal’s Murshidabad district—located about 856 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi site—has become the epicenter of a fresh communal and political controversy. As the state gears up for Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir’s plan to lay the foundation stone for a smaller replica of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 2025—the 33rd anniversary of its demolition—has sparked backlash and counter-initiatives from Hindu groups, fueling accusations of vote-bank politics and polarization.
The Spark: Humayun Kabir’s Babri Masjid Replica Plan
At the heart of the row is Humayun Kabir, the TMC MLA from Bharatpur and secretary of the West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India. Posters, hoardings, and leaflets have flooded villages and towns in Murshidabad, promoting the foundation stone-laying ceremony for what Kabir describes as an “exact replica of the Babri mosque, but on a smaller scale” in the Beldanga block.
Kabir has remained defiant amid challenges, stating: “As announced earlier, we will lay the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid on December 6. A trust has almost been formed and we are drawing up a plan to implement the construction of Babri Masjid… Come what may, I will build the Babri Mosque here.” He envisions the project including a 200-bed hospital and a five-storeyed guest house, with completion expected in three years. Kabir defends his move as a “Constitutional right” to build a place of worship, though he admits facing hurdles: “We are trying to get land, but those who had agreed are backing out because of pressure from the police and administration.”
This announcement comes against the backdrop of recent communal tensions in Beldanga in November 2024, which led to prohibitory orders and a temporary internet shutdown.
Counter-Moves: Hindu Groups Announce Ram Temple Replicas
In swift response, two Hindu organizations have stepped forward with plans for Ram Mandir replicas, escalating the “showdown.”
- Sakharab Sarkar, former BJP Murshidabad president, revealed intentions to construct a smaller version of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Baharampur town. He plans a Bhumi Pujan on the same day, December 6, but withheld land details, claiming: “I am not giving out details of the land since the TMC will immediately create roadblocks for the project.”
- The Bongiyo Ram Sevak Parishad Charitable Trust went a step further, holding a groundbreaking ceremony on January 22, 2025—the anniversary of the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya—in Alankar village, Sagardighi Assembly constituency. The project includes a Ram Temple replica alongside shrines for Lord Shiva and Hanumanji. Trust president Ambikananda Maharaj noted: “We will soon start the construction. It will be a replica. We are receiving good funds from people across the state.” Secretary Dharmajit Debnath added details about the multi-temple setup.
These initiatives have amplified the narrative of a symbolic “replica battle,” drawing parallels to the original Ayodhya conflict.
Political Reactions: Accusations Fly Across Party Lines
The controversy has drawn sharp responses from political leaders, with many viewing it as a ploy to stoke communal sentiments ahead of polls.
- Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slammed the TMC’s inaction: “The TMC is not saying a word against Kabir and no action has been taken. The CM’s silence indicates a tacit support. On one hand, she has built the Jagannath temple, and now wants communal polarisation.”
- BJP’s former state president Rahul Sinha accused both sides but highlighted resistance: “However, it is clear that the Rashtrabadi (nationalist) Muslims are not with Kabir. Local Muslims are refusing to give land to him. This shows his communal designs are being resisted.”
- Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), advising Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee: “God, worship, we will honor a mosque built in the name of Islam, but the building made in the name of Babur will meet the same fate as what happened in Ayodhya on December 6—the bricks had also disappeared. I advise my friend Mamata Banerjee ji to take action against those who talk of building a mosque in the name of Babur; for the identity and harmony of Bengal and the country, you too have a responsibility.”
- Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Naushad Siddiqui linked it to governance failures: “People are now talking about universities and hospitals in the district whenever the Babri Masjid issue comes up. This shows the government has failed to build universities and proper hospitals for Murshidabad.”
- CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty criticized the broader trend: “The TMC and BJP have no issues to raise on employment, food, health or other concerns. They are happy to play with people’s emotions on mandir and masjid, dividing people on religion, caste and creed.”
The TMC has notably distanced itself without formal condemnation, while Mamata Banerjee is set to visit Murshidabad on December 4, 2025.
Background and Broader Context
Murshidabad, a border district with Bangladesh, is communally sensitive and has seen a dramatic 87.65% rise in voters since 2002, amid ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Similar spikes in nearby districts like Uttar Dinajpur (105.49%) underscore demographic shifts that could influence polls.
The row revives memories of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition by Hindu kar sevaks, which paved the way for the Ram Mandir’s construction after a 2019 Supreme Court verdict. In Bengal, it intersects with pre-election dynamics, where religious polarization could sway the minority-heavy electorate.
Implications: A Test for Harmony and Politics
As December 6 approaches, this replica standoff risks deepening divisions in an already tense region. While Kabir pushes forward despite obstacles, and Hindu groups advance their projects, the episode highlights how historical wounds can be weaponized in contemporary politics. With elections looming, it remains to be seen if this leads to escalation or if calls for restraint prevail, preserving Bengal’s fragile communal harmony.