A mosque project referred to as the “New Babri Masjid” is being developed in the Beldanga area of Murshidabad district in West Bengal. The proposed structure is publicly described as being inspired by the old Babri Masjid of Ayodhya. The foundation ceremony has been scheduled for 6 December, the date associated with the 1992 demolition of the original mosque. This timing has naturally drawn public attention and created debate within both political and religious circles.
Large gatherings, invited clerics, and sizeable public events have been announced, making it clear that the project is not a quiet, community level construction. Instead, it carries a high level of public spectacle and political visibility.
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2. The Politician Behind the Project and His Party Affiliations
The central figure leading this mosque project is Humayun Kabir, an MLA from the Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad. His political career is marked by multiple shifts across different parties over the years:
(a) He has been associated with the Indian National Congress. (till 2013)
(b) Later he joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). (2013 to 2016)
(c) He then moved to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a period. (2018 to 2021)
(d) After that, he returned to TMC, where he won his current assembly seat. (2021 to 2025)
(e) Recently, he has been suspended from TMC. (2025)
(f) He has announced plans to start a new political party.
The controversy arises because this mosque project is unfolding exactly at a time when he is distancing himself from his previous party and preparing to launch a new political outfit. This timing has led many citizens and observers to question whether the mosque is being used as a political symbol rather than a sincere place of worship.
3. Why the Project Is Seen as Politically Charged
Several factors contribute to the perception that this mosque project is politically motivated:
The chosen name and model
Rebuilding a structure modeled after the Babri Masjid, and publicly labeling it as such, carries deep emotional weight and is bound to attract strong reactions.
The chosen date
Holding the foundation ceremony on 6 December, a date remembered with pain and historical trauma, seems intended to create attention and stir feelings within the community.
Large scale publicity
Announcements of mass gatherings, food distribution on a large scale, and the participation of high profile guests make the event look more like a political show than a religious function.
Internal criticism within the Muslim community
Several community voices have expressed discomfort with turning such a sensitive religious name into a political instrument. Many believe that mosques should not be used to mobilize political support or create communal tensions.
4. Understanding Masjid e Dirar in Islamic History
It's important for Muslims to understand the concept of Masjid e Dirar, which comes from the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). A group of hypocrites in Madinah built a mosque under the claim that it was for the convenience of weak and elderly worshippers. However, their real intention was to create division, strengthen enemies of Islam, and undermine the unity of Muslims.
The Quran revealed the true intentions behind that structure. The Prophet (pbuh) was instructed not to pray there, and he ultimately ordered the mosque to be demolished. Scholars explain that the lesson from Masjid e Dirar is that a structure labeled as a mosque is not automatically sacred if its real purpose is harm, disunity, or political manipulation.
However, scholars also warn that calling any modern mosque a “Masjid e Dirar” is extremely serious. Unlike the original case, there is no divine revelation today to confirm anyone’s intention. Judgments must therefore be approached with knowledge, humility, and responsibility.
5. Comparison Between the West Bengal Project and Masjid e Dirar
Some critics of the West Bengal project draw parallels with Masjid e Dirar, while scholars caution against making absolute claims. Below are the balanced points of comparison. Possible similarities pointed out by critics
(a) Political motivations: The project is led by a career politician with a history of switching parties, including a period in BJP and now a plan for a new party.
(b) Emotionally charged symbolism : Naming the structure after Babri Masjid and choosing 6 December for the foundation ceremony creates an environment where emotions can be mobilized for political gain.
(c) Risk of division : The project has already created internal disagreement within the Muslim community. Any mosque that becomes a source of division rather than unity raises legitimate concern.
Important differences
(a) No revealed guidance today : Masjid e Dirar was condemned through divine revelation. That clarity does not exist for any modern construction.
(b) Legal context of today : The mosque is being built within the framework of Indian constitutional rights. Any accusation must therefore be made with caution.
(c) Intention known only to Allah : Even if political patterns are visible, only Allah knows the inner intention behind actions.
Because of these reasons, while comparisons can be discussed for reflection, absolute judgments identifying any modern mosque as “Dirar” must be made very carefully.
6. How Muslims Can Approach the Issue
Rather than reacting emotionally, Muslims should consider the following questions:
1. Who will control the mosque after construction : Is it genuinely community owned, or is it tied to the career of a single politician
2. How transparent is the funding : Are donations and land details openly shared with the public
3. Does the project unite or divide : A true mosque strengthens unity and service, not factionalism and tension.
4. What do balanced scholars say : Listening to scholars who are not politically aligned helps in forming a fair view.
5. Is religion being used for publicity : Are the speeches and banners focusing on worship or on promoting a political figure
6. Is the mosque being instrumentalized for elections : If the timing aligns with political ambitions, believers must be cautious.
These questions encourage thoughtful reflection instead of emotionally driven positions.
7. Conclusion
The proposed “New Babri Masjid” in Beldanga is not merely a religious construction. It is intertwined with political ambitions, personal branding, and emotionally charged symbolism. While the name and timing suggest an attempt to mobilize sentiments, comparing it fully with Masjid e Dirar requires great care and religious responsibility.
Muslims who are concerned can seek guidance from knowledgeable scholars, examine the motives behind the project, and prioritize unity and sincerity in worship. A mosque should be a place of peace, devotion, and service to Allah alone, not a tool for political elevation or electoral advantage.