Things are heating up in West Bengal politics again, and this time, Mamta Banerjee TMC MLA Humayun Kabir is behind the news. He just announced plans to lay the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad, built in the style of the Babri Masjid. The date he picked? December 6—the same day the Babri Masjid was demolished back in 1992. Kabir called it a powerful, emotional moment for the Muslim community and insisted the funds would come from a trust, not the government.
Kabir’s Announcement: The Spark That Lit the Fire
Dropping “Babri Masjid” and “December 6” in the same sentence was bound to stir things up. The BJP jumped in right away, slamming Mamta Banerjee’s party for what they called “dangerous communal engineering” to win over Muslim voters ahead of the next election. Some BJP leaders even fired back with their own plans for a Ram temple, signalling yet another chapter in the endless Hindu–Muslim back-and-forth. Meanwhile, other opposition parties accused Kabir of using religion to divide people, calling his statement unnecessary.
Political Reactions: Storm Across Party Lines
The BJP reacted instantly, accusing Mamta Banerjee’s party of indulging in “dangerous communal engineering” to secure Muslim votes before the next election cycle.
Some BJP leaders even announced plans for a Ram temple project in response, making it clear that the remark had opened yet another Hindu–Muslim narrative battle in the state.
Opposition parties argued that Kabir intentionally used religious sentiment to polarise voters, calling it an unnecessary provocation.
Was this all part of the TMC’s plan, or is Kabir just going off-script?
Some people say there’s a pattern here – Kabir’s words fit with TMC’s efforts to connect emotionally with Muslim voters, especially since Murshidabad is a Muslim-majority district and a key battleground. Plus, the timing isn’t random—it’s right before election season.
On the other hand, TMC’s top brass have tried to distance themselves from Kabir’s comments. He’s known for making provocative statements on his own, and he even skipped TMC’s “Unity Day,” which hints at some friction within the party. Still, Mamta Banerjee hasn’t really said anything against him either – just silence. And in politics, silence usually means more than people let on.
What This Means for the Larger Political Landscape
The controversy makes one thing clear: identity politics remains a decisive battleground in Banerjee-led West Bengal.
At the end of the day, this whole episode just proves that identity politics still rules the game in West Bengal. Whether TMC is pulling the strings or just letting leaders like Kabir stir the pot, the result’s the same – more polarisation, louder narratives, and a fresh fight for minority votes. Kabir’s words have given the opposition new ammo, and TMC’s quiet response leaves everyone wondering whose side they’re really on.
