Kolkata, 21 February (H.S.): A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections after a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader extended financial support for the proposed construction of a ‘Babri Masjid’ reportedly linked to suspended party leader Humayun Kabir.

Safiuzzaman Sheikh, president of TMC’s Nowda block unit and education functionary of the Murshidabad Zilla Parishad, handed over a cheque of ₹1.11 lakh on the first day of Ramzan towards the proposed mosque project. The cheque was reportedly issued in the name of the mosque trust under the “West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India.”

The development has sparked political debate, particularly in light of Kabir’s recent political activities. Reports indicate that he had met leaders of the CPI(M) and also held discussions with ISF MLA Nausad Siddique. He had also expressed personal support for senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

About a week ago, TMC MLA and Murshidabad district president Niyamat Sheikh had publicly voiced support for the proposed mosque. Safiuzzaman Sheikh’s direct financial contribution is being viewed as politically significant. At a recent block-level meeting, he reportedly stated, “We will build the mosque. The people of Murshidabad district will build it.”

Humayun Kabir had earlier been suspended by the All India Trinamool Congress for alleged anti-party remarks. At the time, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim had cautioned that raising issues such as the construction of a ‘Babri Masjid’ could revive old controversies and lead to religious polarization, which the party does not endorse.

Meanwhile, a local BJP leader has claimed that the idea of the proposed ‘Babri Masjid’ stems from the Trinamool Congress’s own political thinking and described it as part of a broader political strategy.

With the state heading toward elections, the latest controversy surrounding religion and politics is expected to further intensify the political discourse in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh