West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday suspended Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir after his controversial comment on building a “Babri Masjid” in Murshidabad triggered political uproar across the state. Kabir had recently announced that the foundation stone for the proposed mosque would be laid in Beldanga on December 6. The date drew attention because of its association with the Babri demolition anniversary.
The TMC leadership stated that Kabir’s comments led to serious indiscipline at a time when the party was working to maintain peace and communal harmony, as reported by PTI. The suspension was announced by the party’s senior minister, Firhad Hakim, stating that Kabir’s actions were contrary to the party’s stance on avoiding divisive politics. Kabir, known for making provocative comments in the past, reacted by stating that he intended to resign and form a new political outfit.
TMC accuses MLA of disturbing communal harmony
Hakim further claimed that the party had already warned Kabir about such statements. Addressing a press conference, the Kolkata Mayor questioned the intention behind choosing the Babri Masjid name and the sensitive date of December 6. ANI quoted Hakim as saying, “ Why suddenly Babri Masjid? We had cautioned him earlier…As per the party’s decision, we are suspending him.”
ANI also reported that Hakim blamed a “BJP policy” behind attempts to polarise the state. He further claimed that Kabir’s comments aligned with efforts to “divide Bengal by religious matter.” He stated that Kabir had “stepped into divisive politics,” alleging the BJP of escalating similar controversies before elections.
BJP reacted sharply to the mosque plan
Kabir asserted the mosque project would move ahead and claimed a large crowd would participate in the December 6 event. A lakh of people could assemble, potentially blocking NH-12, the major highway connecting Kolkata to Siliguri.
Kabir had claimed that the construction would take three years and that many Muslim leaders would attend the event. The comment triggered criticism from the BJP. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that no mosque “in the name of Babur” would be allowed, terming Babur an invader and declaring that “nothing will be made in his name here.”
Kabir’s suspension comments mark the latest effort by the TMC to distance itself from statements that risk instigating communal tensions.
