Construction of Babri-style Mosque Begins in Murshidabad; Humayun Kabir Leads ‘Babri Yatra’ Amidst Political Heat in Bengal

Murshidabad, West Bengal: Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir, recently suspended from the party, has initiated the construction of a mosque in Murshidabad district modeled after the famous Babri Masjid of Ayodhya. The mosque, being built in Rejinagar, Beldanga, is expected to be completed within two years, with an estimated cost of ₹50–55 crore.

Babri Yatra in Bengal

Alongside the commencement of construction, Kabir launched a ‘Babri Yatra’ in the district. Originally, the rally was planned to start from Plassey in Nadia district at 10 AM on Thursday and conclude in Itahar, Uttar Dinajpur, covering a stretch of 265 kilometers. However, the route was shortened, and the rally concluded at Rejinagar in Murshidabad, spanning just 22 kilometers.

The rally’s format was also altered. Initially, 100 vehicles were scheduled to participate, each carrying six people including the driver—anticipating around 600 participants. In the revised version, the yatra was conducted as a simple procession.

Police Permissions Limit the Rally

Explaining the shortened route, Kabir said that necessary police permissions from the three districts originally on the route were not granted. Police officials, however, noted that formal permission had not been sought for such a long rally. Kabir assured that the full-length yatra would be conducted at a later date.

Laying the First Brick

Kabir personally laid the first brick of the mosque, emphasizing the need for the rally to counter misinformation regarding the project. He stated that certain vested interests were spreading false information about the Beldanga mosque, and the yatra aimed to raise public awareness about its construction.

Mosque Details

The foundation of the mosque had been laid on 6 December 2025. The structure, inspired by the original Babri Masjid in Ayodhya—demolished on 6 December 1992—will feature a gate 14 meters high and five meters wide, with the gate alone costing approximately ₹5 crore. The entire construction is expected to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of ₹55 crore.

Kabir, who was suspended from TMC just days before laying the foundation, has now formed his own political party, the Janata Unnayan Party. Ahead of the state assembly elections later this year, he has called for an anti-BJP and anti-TMC coalition of all opposition forces.