Ex-TMC MLA Humayun Kabir’s 'Babri' March Suspended Amid Exams

Murshidabad, West Bengal – A planned three-day "Babri Yatra" led by ex-Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir has been suspended, reportedly in consideration of ongoing school examinations. The march, intended to begin on Thursday, February 12, was designed to rally support for the construction of a replica of the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad.

Kabir, now president of the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), had announced the "Babri Yatra" which was to start from Murshidabad’s Palashi and end in Dinajpur’s Itahar. The JUP chief stated the objective of the march was to send a message to opponents that the mosque will be built.

The construction of the mosque began on Wednesday, February 11, following a foundation stone laying ceremony held two months prior. Approximately 1,200 people were expected to gather for Quran recitations at the Murshidabad grounds as part of the ceremony. Kabir has been a central figure in the project, which has stirred considerable controversy.

Humayun Kabir was suspended from the TMC after he announced plans to construct the Babri Masjid replica in Murshidabad. Subsequently, he formed the Janta Unnayan Party (JUP) and has been actively pursuing the mosque’s construction. Kabir has been openly critical of the Trinamool leadership, claiming that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not be sworn in again.

The Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad has protested against the construction of the mosque. The organization put up banners across Lucknow with slogans such as "Humayun hum aayenge, Babri phir girayenge (Humayun, we will come and demolish Babri again)".

The construction of the Babri Masjid replica has also drawn reactions from political leaders outside West Bengal. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the Babri structure would never be rebuilt. Kabir responded to these remarks by challenging Adityanath and saying that if he wishes to stop the construction of the Babri Masjid, he will have to come to Murshidabad.

Kabir has expressed that he had long wondered why the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992. He sees the construction of the replica as a contribution from his side as a Muslim and thanked those who supported the effort. He also shared the design of the mosque on his social media account.