On December 6, 2025, Humayun Kabir a now-suspended legislator from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) laid the foundation stone for a mosque in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, modelled after the historic Babri Masjid The event was highly symbolic the date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the original Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The ceremony reportedly included Qur’an recitation, religious chants, and attendance by clerics
However, prior to the event, there was an attempt to stop it through legal recourse. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed seeking to restrain the foundation-laying on grounds that such a step could provoke communal tensions. But the Calcutta High Court (HC) refused to intervene, leaving the decision to proceed in the hands of the state government and law-enforcement agencies
Political, Social and Legal Implications
Communal Sensitivity & Historical Memory The Babri Masjid demolition remains one of the most controversial and emotionally charged events in India’s modern history. Choosing December 6 — the demolition anniversary — for the foundation stone ceremony carries deep symbolic weight, which many view as provocative rather than reconciliatory
Politically Charged Timing With assembly elections looming in West Bengal, critics argue that the mosque plan might be a move to polarise votes along communal lines. Some party and political observers view the event as a “vote-bank mobilisation” strategy Meanwhile, the TMC has distanced itself from Kabir; he was suspended from the party citing communal politics
Challenges for Law & Order By refusing to block the event, the High Court effectively placed the onus of maintaining peace on the state government and security apparatus. Given Murshidabad’s history of communal tension — including recent unrest — authorities face the challenge of balancing constitutional rights with public safety
If security and administration maintain tight control — and if the community response remains peaceful — the mosque may take shape quietly over time. The project’s promoters already claim plans for a larger facility with accompanying civic amenities Given the charged symbolism, the plan could spark protests or counter-mobilisation from opposing groups. This could escalate into communal tension, especially in an area with a history of unrest.
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The move may deepen political polarisation in the run-up to elections. Rival parties may use the event to rally their bases — which could lead to increased communal rhetoric, divisive framing, and electoral volatility. If tensions escalate or violence occurs, public interest litigation or administrative interference may be sought again. Courts or governments may step in to regulate or even halt construction, citing public order or constitutional fault lines
What Observers Are Saying
Some human rights and civil-society voices warn that reviving the “Babri issue even symbolically may reopen old wounds and derail communal harmony efforts Others argue that denying Muslims the right to build a mosque while others build temples freely itself is discriminatory. They view this project as a matter of religious equality Political analysts see this as part of a broader strategy where identity-based mobilisation gains prominence ahead of elections Many call for caution: even if the intention is religious, the wider social consequences must not be ignored especially in a diverse, pluralistic society like India’s
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