Construction Of ‘Babri Masjid’ Replica Begins In West Bengal’s Murshidabad Amid Political Tensions
In a development that has intensified political discourse in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, construction work commenced on February 11, 2026, for a mosque modelled on the demolished Babri Masjid of Ayodhya. The project is taking place in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, under the leadership of Humayun Kabir, a suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA who now heads the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP).
Thousands of local residents participated alongside construction workers as brick-laying began in the afternoon. Kabir, who laid the foundation stone for the mosque on December 6, 2025, declared that the structure would be completed within two years at an estimated cost of ₹50-55 crore. “No power on earth can stop the construction of this mosque,” he stated, adding that it would be finished “by the grace of God” within the specified timeframe.
Kabir emphasized that his initiative stems from religious devotion to please Allah, rather than any intent to impose views on others. He contrasted the project with what he described as significant state spending on temple constructions, including the ₹250 crore Jagannath temple completed at Digha in April 2025, and planned mega temples in Kolkata’s New Town and Siliguri.
The move has stirred sharp reactions across the political spectrum in West Bengal. It has garnered support among some sections while deepening communal divisions in the state, particularly with polls approaching in the coming months. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has viewed it as an effort to consolidate Muslim votes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently remarked that the Babri Masjid would never be rebuilt until the Day of Judgment.
In a related adjustment, Kabir postponed a planned 235-km ‘Babri Yatra’ march from Nadia’s Palashi to Itahar in Uttar Dinajpur, citing potential disruption to ongoing Madhyamik board examinations, as advised by Malda police. Instead, he scheduled a shorter 22-km march from Palashi to Beldanga on February 12, 2026.
Kabir’s suspension from the TMC on December 4, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities preceded his launch of the JUP, positioning him to challenge both the TMC and BJP in future contests. Recent meetings with Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Md. Salim have fueled speculation about potential alliances involving the CPI(M), Indian Secular Front (ISF), and JUP, especially after the Congress opted to contest the 2026 polls independently.
The original Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992, an event that continues to resonate in Indian politics. This new construction in Murshidabad has revived debates on religious symbolism and electoral strategy in the region.