Murshidabad, West Bengal – Amidst heightened political tensions, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sakharov Sarkar conducted a Bhumi Puja (ground-breaking ceremony) in Murshidabad for the construction of a Ram Temple. This event occurred on Saturday, December 6, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992.

The move follows Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir's recent proposal to construct a mosque modeled after the Babri Masjid in Beldanga, Murshidabad, triggering a fresh wave of political controversy in the communally sensitive district. Kabir, who has faced suspension from the TMC for what the party termed "communal politics," also laid the foundation stone for the mosque on the same day.

Sarkar, the BJP's Berhampore organizational district president, had previously announced plans for the Ram Temple, stating that construction would commence on January 22, 2025, marking the one-year anniversary of the Ayodhya Ram Temple's inauguration. He affirmed that land has been identified in Berhampore for the project, estimating the cost at ₹10 crore. "We have already identified a land in Beharampore area and the construction work for the Ram temple, based on the design of the temple on Ayodhya, will begin soon," Sarkar told reporters. According to reports, the proposed Ram temple in Baharampur will also include a hospital and a school.

The BJP's decision to construct the Ram Temple is viewed as a strategic effort to bolster its influence within the Hindu community in Murshidabad, a district where minorities constitute approximately 75% of the population. The simultaneous events have exacerbated the already tense political climate in the region.

Humayun Kabir's announcement of the mosque project has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accuse him of attempting to polarize communities for political gain. The TMC has distanced itself from Kabir's comments, asserting that they represent his personal views and not the party's official stance. A senior TMC leader stated, "The TMC has nothing to do with this statement of Kabir". The Congress party has also criticized Kabir, accusing him of engaging in divisive politics in a sensitive region.

Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar has reacted to the events, stating that while the construction of the mosque is permissible, a Ram Temple will also be built. He questioned the historical basis of the proposed mosque, suggesting a review of the 'Baburnama' to understand the historical context.

Security measures have been heightened in Murshidabad, particularly in the Beldanga area where the mosque is planned. Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Border Security Force (BSF) units have been mobilized to maintain law and order.

The Calcutta High Court declined to intervene in the matter following a plea seeking a stay on the mosque ceremony, emphasizing that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the state government.

These developments in Murshidabad reflect a growing trend of competitive communal politics in West Bengal, particularly as the state approaches upcoming elections.