Babri Masjid replica in Bengal: TMC cries 'cheap drama', BJP alleges 'plan B' as Humayun Kabir begins construction

• Humayun Kabir starts building Babri Masjid replica mosque in Murshidabad
• Kabir accelerates project timeline, mosque to accommodate 12,000 worshippers
• TMC and BJP criticize Kabir, alleging political motives ahead of elections

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Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir on Wednesday formally commenced construction of a Babri Masjid replica mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, a move that has ignited fierce political hostilities barely weeks before West Bengal heads to assembly elections.

The development unfolded just a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing a public meeting in Barabanki, delivered an emphatic declaration that the Babri structure would never be resurrected — not even on the Day of Judgment.

Kabir, who now leads the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) after his suspension from the TMC for alleged anti-party activities, initiated construction at approximately 1 pm with Quran recitation attended by thousands of supporters and local residents. The founder placed silver bars and coins bearing sacred inscriptions at the site before applying several spades of cement mixture to mark the commencement of work.

The proposed mosque, reportedly to be erected on 11 bighas of land, is designed to accommodate approximately 12,000 worshippers for congregational prayers. Kabir, who had originally laid the foundation stone on December 6 last year — the anniversary of the Babri Masjid’s demolition — announced that the project timeline has now been accelerated.

A private firm based in Kerala will complete construction within two years at an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore, down from the previously stated three-year schedule. The mosque's main gate, Kabir told reporters, is planned to be 14 metres high and 5 metres wide at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.

Defending the project, the Bharatpur MLA asserted that Muslims had not opposed the Ram Temple built under Yogi Adityanath, adding that naming and building a mosque was their right.

Kabir had earlier announced a 265-kilometre 'Babri Yatra' from Palashi to Itahar, with organisers expecting around 600 participants across 100 vehicles. The rally was postponed after Malda police requested a reschedule citing Higher Secondary examinations. Instead, a smaller march from Palashi to the Beldanga construction site will be held on Thursday, Kabir said.

The project has drawn sharp censure from both the TMC and BJP, each accusing Kabir of acting as the other's proxy.

BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya alleged the project was TMC's "plan B" to consolidate Muslim votes indirectly, claiming Kabir remained with the party and would be made deputy chief minister. Bengal, he asserted, was being turned into Bangladesh and a "mini Pakistan" environment, against which all Hindus should unite.

TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty rejected any association, stating the party did not wish to benefit from communal politics. He described the project as "cheap drama" to remain relevant ahead of elections. Meanwhile, Kabir accused the TMC of attempting to reap electoral dividends from the project had he remained in its fold and charged the BJP with expanding its Bengal vote bank by speaking for Sanatanis — a declaration he vowed to resist.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi delivered the most unequivocal rejection: neither Babar nor even Babar's father emerging from the grave could see the Babri Masjid rebuilt on that land.