The Calcutta High Court on Friday declined to intervene in the planned foundation-laying ceremony for a replica of the Babri Masjid in Beldanga, Murshidabad, as announced by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen stated that the court would not intervene “at this stage,” allowing Kabir to proceed with the event on the condition that law and order are strictly upheld. The court instructed the police to ensure that the ceremony does not lead to any disturbances in the local area. Police officials confirmed that adequate security measures would be implemented.
Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the petitioner, argued that such a program could incite unrest and disrupt communal harmony. The Union government informed the court that the region is deemed “sensitive” due to previous disturbances, which have required the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Currently, nineteen CAPF companies are stationed in Murshidabad following communal riots in April and are prepared for immediate action if necessary.
The High Court urged both the state and the union to collaborate to prevent any potential “chaotic situation” during the ceremony. Consequently, security in Beldanga was heightened, with the area designated as a high-security zone. Additional forces, including units from the police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Border Security Force (BSF), were mobilized.
These directives were issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed on Thursday, which asserted that Kabir’s proposal was unconstitutional and could disrupt communal harmony. Kabir plans to lay the foundation stone for the Babri Masjid on December 6, coinciding with the anniversary of the demolition of the original mosque in Ayodhya.
Following his announcement, Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress but reiterated his commitment to the ceremony. He maintained that the land for the new mosque had been designated and mentioned plans to launch a new political party on December 22.
The foundation-laying ceremony is expected to attract a significant crowd, with arrangements for approximately 400 invited guests. The event, scheduled to start at noon, will have formal proceedings beginning two hours earlier. To ensure safety and traffic management on National Highway 12, about 3,000 police personnel will be deployed, including officers on special duty from local police stations. The estimated cost for the mosque project is ₹125 crore.
Kabir stated that the replica mosque is part of a broader development initiative including a college, hospital, and rest house covering 20 bighas of land. In a recent meeting, local police officials assured Kabir of their support and mentioned that attendees would need to vacate the venue by 4 PM.
Two clerics from Saudi Arabia are anticipated to attend the event, which will conclude by 2 PM, after the distribution of food. Kabir noted that special qazia from Saudi Arabia would be arriving in a convoy from Kolkata airport on the day of the event. Additionally, religious leaders from various states have confirmed their attendance.
To cater to the attendees, seven catering companies have been engaged to prepare 40,000 packets of Shahi Biryani, along with extra provisions for 20,000 local residents. The allocated budget for food stands at approximately ₹30 lakh, while ₹10 lakh has been set aside for stage construction.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haider condemned the use of religious venues for political ends, emphasizing that both mosques and temples serve as places of worship and should not be politicized. Athar Husain, Secretary of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation, noted that while the construction of a mosque on legally designated land is justified, naming it after Babur carries clear political implications.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, an Imam and AIMPLB member, criticized the framing of the ceremony, stating that no religious issue should be politicized. He highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the Babri issue, arguing that proper legal permissions must be obtained for any place of worship.
On-site, Kabir reiterated his commitment to inaugurating the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, referencing plans announced in 2024. Congress MP Imran Masood accused Kabir of acting in the interests of the BJP, stating, “Look at Humayun Kabir’s history; he is a BJP agent. A mosque is a place of worship.”
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