A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader issued a stark warning to a Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator over plans to build a mosque. The remarks have ignited a heated debate, recalling the sensitive history of religious structures in India.
The Provocative Warning
On Friday, December 5, 2025, BJP MP Arjun Singh made a strongly worded statement targeting TMC MLA Humayun Kabir. Singh was responding to Kabir's reported plans for a mosque in the Murshidabad district. The BJP leader explicitly warned that if Kabir attempted to construct a mosque reminiscent of the Babri Masjid style, he would face severe consequences.
"If Kabir tries to build a Babri Masjid here, I will send him to Babur (the Mughal emperor)," Singh declared. He further dismissed the proposed event, stating, "There will be no foundation-laying ceremony, it is all drama." This direct threat, invoking the name of the first Mughal emperor, Babur, has added a historical and charged dimension to the confrontation.
Context and Political Tensions
The dispute centers on the intentions of TMC's Humayun Kabir, who represents the Rejinagar constituency in Murshidabad. While specific details of the mosque plan were not fully elaborated in the initial reports, the mere suggestion of a Babri Masjid-style construction was enough to trigger a fierce reaction from the BJP camp.
This incident highlights the ongoing and often volatile political rivalry between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal. Murshidabad, a district with a significant minority population, has frequently been a flashpoint for such political and religious discourses. The reference to the Babri Masjid, a structure in Ayodhya whose demolition in 1992 led to nationwide riots, immediately raises the political temperature and taps into deep-seated historical sentiments.
Potential Repercussions and Fallout
Arjun Singh's comments are likely to have several immediate consequences:
- Political Escalation: The TMC is expected to strongly condemn the statement, potentially labeling it as inflammatory and threatening. This could lead to a war of words between the two parties at both state and national levels.
- Legal Scrutiny: Such remarks could attract attention from law enforcement agencies for potentially violating norms against hate speech or inciting discord.
- Social Impact: In a sensitive region like Murshidabad, rhetoric of this nature risks polarizing communities and disturbing local harmony.
The statement from the BJP MP, made publicly on December 5, sets the stage for a new chapter of political confrontation in Bengal. It remains to be seen how Humayun Kabir and the TMC leadership respond, and whether the proposed mosque plan moves forward amidst this brewing storm. The incident underscores how historical symbols and religious architecture continue to be potent tools in contemporary Indian political discourse.
