Construction of ‘Babri Masjid-style’ mosque begins in Murshidabad

Babri Masjid-Style Mosque Construction Begins in West Bengal’s Murshidabad Amid Tight Security and Political Storm .                                                                      

Construction of a mosque modeled after the demolished Babri Masjid officially began on February 11, 2026, in Beldanga, Murshidabad district of West Bengal, marking the formal launch of a highly controversial and politically sensitive project. The initiative is led by Humayun Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA who was suspended from the party in December 2025 after announcing plans for the replica structure. Following his suspension, Kabir formed his own political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), and has positioned the mosque project as a central ideological and political statement.

The construction work commenced with a Quran recitation ceremony attended by nearly 1,000 to 1,200 religious scholars, including Moulanas and Muftis, at the project site near National Highway 12. The event was conducted under heavy police deployment due to the sensitive nature of the project and the potential for communal tensions. Security forces were stationed across Beldanga and adjoining Raninagar areas to ensure law and order during the gathering.

The ambitious project is estimated to cost around ₹300 crore in total, with approximately ₹55 crore earmarked specifically for constructing the mosque structure itself. According to Kabir, the complex will not be limited to a place of worship but will also include a hospital, a school, parks, and accommodation facilities such as hotels for pilgrims. He has stated that the entire development is expected to be completed within two to three years.

The project traces its origins to December 6, 2025 — the anniversary of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition — when a large foundation-stone laying ceremony was held at the site. The event reportedly saw participation from thousands of supporters and clerics, including some from Saudi Arabia, further amplifying its symbolic weight.

Politically, the development has triggered sharp reactions. The TMC distanced itself from Kabir, citing that his actions embarrassed the party, while opposition groups and several organizations have criticized the move as provocative. Kabir, however, has described the project as his “contribution” to the Muslim community and linked it to long-standing sentiments surrounding the demolition of the original structure in Ayodhya. He has also announced plans for his party, the JUP, to contest nearly 182 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, making the mosque project a significant talking point in the state’s evolving political landscape.

As construction progresses, the project remains at the center of intense political debate and communal sensitivity, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to prevent any disruption to peace and order.