Kolkata, 10 December (H.S.) :

A new controversy has erupted over the foundation-laying ceremony of the so-called ‘Babri Mosque’ held on December 6 in Beldanga, Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir, who organised the event, had earlier announced that two imams from Saudi Arabia would attend the ceremony. The claim drew widespread attention and a large turnout at the event.

However, it has now emerged that the clerics introduced on stage as “foreign imams” were, in fact, local residents of West Bengal. They were identified as Qari Sufiya of Daulatabad in Murshidabad and Sheikh Abdullah of East Medinipur.

Several members of the religious community criticised the incident, calling it “an attempt to mislead people through religious misrepresentation.” The development also triggered strong reactions and condemnation on social media.

Responding to the allegations, Humayun Kabir claimed that he was “trapped in a conspiracy.” He said that the responsibility of inviting the Saudi guests was handed over to a mediator and that he had sent the funds required for their travel and accommodation. Kabir added that he later learned no one had arrived from Saudi Arabia.

The mediator, Khandakar Yusuf, reportedly admitted that bringing foreign guests at the last moment was not possible and that, due to the large crowd, the organisers failed to clarify the matter publicly during the event.

Meanwhile, Kabir has accused state minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury of being involved in a political plot against him — a charge that Chowdhury has categorically denied, stating that he had no reason to malign anyone and that Kabir must take responsibility for his own actions.

Local Islamic scholars have also confirmed that no cleric from Saudi Arabia attended the Beldanga mosque ceremony. District authorities have issued a warning that any attempt to spread misleading or provocative information in the name of religion will invite strict legal action.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh