The laying of the foundation stone for a 'Babri Masjid'-style mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, has ignited a political controversy. The event, held on December 6, 2025, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya, was spearheaded by Humayun Kabir, a suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA.

Kabir, who was suspended from the TMC for what the party termed "communal politics," had announced the foundation ceremony earlier in December, drawing criticism from opposition parties and prompting heightened security measures by the state administration. The Calcutta High Court declined to intervene in the construction but directed the state government to maintain law and order. Consequently, a heavy security presence, including the RAF, district police, and central forces, was deployed in Rejinagar and Beldanga.

Thousands of people gathered at the venue, raising slogans of "Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar". Kabir claimed that the event was attended by thousands, including clerics from Saudi Arabia. He also stated that a 300-bed hospital, a helipad, a hotel, and a school would be constructed on the mosque premises, estimating the project cost at ₹300 crore. Kabir, who announced he would launch his own party later in December, alleged conspiracies to disrupt the event but asserted that such attempts would be foiled.

The BJP strongly reacted to the event, with state president Samik Bhattacharya accusing Kabir of acting on a script prepared by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, called the foundation stone-laying a "very dangerous precedent". The BJP has accused Mamata Banerjee of using the MLA to polarize Muslims for political gains, alleging that the mosque project is a political effort to consolidate vote banks. A senior BJP leader, Dilip Ghosh, alleged that the TMC was stoking communal passions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The TMC has distanced itself from the event and decided to observe 'Samhati Diwas' (Unity Day) to promote communal harmony. Senior TMC leader and West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim stated that attempts were being made to stoke communal fire in the state, but West Bengal had always resisted politics of religious divisions.

Murshidabad, with a 67% Muslim population, is considered a communally sensitive area. In April, unrest during protests against the Waqf bill resulted in casualties.

Humayun Kabir claimed Muslim candidates will emerge victorious from 90 assembly constituencies in the 2026 polls. He also criticized Mamata Banerjee, alleging that minorities have not benefited despite the TMC's reliance on their votes. He claimed that the number of minority MLAs in the TMC has decreased over the years.

The construction of the mosque and the political reactions highlight the complex dynamics of identity politics and communal relations in West Bengal.