Rising Tensions: Security Tightened as Work Begins in Murshidabad

Political tensions have escalated ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections over the construction of a mosque in Murshidabad modeled after the Babri Masjid. The construction work is set to begin in Beldanga, Murshidabad, with former TMC leader and Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir present at the site. Kabir had laid the foundation stone on December 6, 2025. Shortly after announcing the project, he was expelled from the Trinamool Congress and later formed his own party. Security has been tightened at the construction site amid rising political controversy. Kabir has defended the move, asserting his constitutional right to build a mosque and stating that just as temples are being built, Muslims also have the right to construct mosques. He has vowed to complete the structure within two years. The BJP has strongly opposed the move. BJP leader Dinesh Sharma stated that there is “no place for Babri ideology in India” and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of indirectly supporting Kabir for political polarization ahead of elections. The issue has also drawn reactions from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, further intensifying the political debate across states. The controversy has now become a major flashpoint in the pre-election political climate.