The proposal to construct a mosque named after the first Mughal emperor, Babur, in West Bengal has ignited a fresh controversy, drawing sharp criticism from a prominent Muslim foundation for being a "politically motivated act." The plan, announced by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir for Beldanga in Murshidabad district, was denounced by the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) on Saturday.
A Mosque Should Stand on Faith, Not Politics: IICF
Athar Husain, the Secretary of the IICF, did not mince words in his critique. He stated that while the intention to build a mosque is sacred, deliberately linking it to a contentious historical figure defeats its very purpose. "It is a politically motivated act and defeats the sacred purpose of building a place of worship," Husain said.
He emphasized that the core principle of Islam is 'taqwa', or God-consciousness. "Performing 'namaz' is among the most important acts for a believer, but that purity is lost the moment politics enters the mosque," he remarked, asserting that there should be absolutely no space for political symbolism in a house of Allah.
Invoking Ayodhya Verdict and Appealing for Harmony
Husain pointed to the landmark Supreme Court verdict of November 9, 2019, which settled the Ayodhya dispute, allocating land for both a Ram temple and a new mosque in Dhannipur, Uttar Pradesh. "The chapter was closed. Anything done now in the name of 'Babri Masjid' is purely politics," he asserted.
Making a personal appeal to Humayun Kabir, Husain urged him to reconsider the name. "You carry the beautiful name of Kabir — the great saint of this land, who always preached Hindu-Muslim unity and uplift of the downtrodden," he said. He suggested alternative names like 'Kabir Masjid', 'Hindustani Masjid', or a name after Murshidabad itself, which he believed would send a message of harmony.
"The initiative could have united people across religious lines. In India's secular framework, the state cannot fund such projects, but voluntary contributions from diverse communities would have flowed in," Husain added, warning that a controversial name would only polarize communities.
BJP Leader Issues Stern Warning
The controversy quickly attracted a reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya termed the development as "TMC's drama" and issued a strong threat.
"If a single stone is laid, we will uproot the foundation stones as soon as the BJP forms govt in West Bengal," Maurya declared, escalating the political stakes around the proposed religious structure.
The episode highlights the ongoing sensitivities around historical symbolism and religious politics in India, with the proposed mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, becoming a new flashpoint between political and religious viewpoints.
