MURSHIDABAD: Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir laid foundation stone for ”Babri Masjid-style” mosque in West Bengal”s Murshidabad on Saturday.Kabir cut a ceremonial ribbon alongside visiting clerics on the dais as slogans of “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar” were raised at the venue, where thousands had gathered since morning.
The foundation-laying ceremony took place under a heavy security blanket, with large contingents of police, RAF and central forces deployed across Rejinagar and the adjoining Beldanga area to maintain law and order.Conspiracies were hatchedKabir claimed that conspiracies were hatched to disrupt the foundation-laying ceremony but asserted that lakhs of people would foil such attempts.
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Earlier in the day, Kabir said, “I will lay the foundation stone for the mosque at Beldanga. No force can stop it. We will go by the orders of the Calcutta high court,” Kabir told reporters before visiting the spot.He also alleged, “There are conspiracies to disrupt the programme by instigating violence. Lakhs of people from across south Bengal districts will foil such attempts. It will be a peaceful ceremony. We have every right to have a place of worship as per the Constitution. Over 2000 volunteers are on duty.”Also read: HC tells Bengal govt to pull out all stops ahead of ‘Babri’ eventNot only a mosque at Beldanga, but there will also be a hospital, an educational institution and a guest house for people of all communities visiting the place, he said.Kabir accused the TMC of “polarising the issue on religious lines that the BJP follows”.“They are hatching conspiracies,” he claimed.Massive build-up on ground Local residents and volunteers began assembling at the site early, with people like Safiqul Islam from Uttar Barasat transporting bricks as part of preparations for the proposed mosque.
Kabir claimed that close to 3 lakh people may gather across a 25-bigha area. He said religious leaders from multiple states had confirmed attendance and added, “Two qazis from Saudi Arabia will arrive in a special convoy from Kolkata airport in the morning.”Biryani for 40,000 people The sprawling venue off NH-12 has seen extensive arrangements. Seven catering groups have reportedly been hired to prepare shahi biryani for the crowd. About 40,000 food packets are being made for visitors and another 20,000 for locals, pushing the food bill beyond Rs 30 lakh. The event’s total expenditure is expected to reach Rs 60–70 lakh. A 150-ft by 80-ft dais, set up above the fields, will host nearly 400 guests and is expected to cost Rs 10 lakh alone. More than 3,000 volunteers—2,000 of them mobilised on Friday—will manage entry points, regulate traffic and oversee crowd dispersal. Kabir said the day’s proceedings would begin with Quran recitation at 10am, followed by the foundation ceremony at noon. “Formalities will start two hours earlier. By 4 pm, the ground will be cleared as per police directives,” he added.
Security concerns
Authorities, anticipating a massive turnout, have raised concerns about crowd management and uninterrupted traffic flow on NH-12. A senior police officer said their top priority is ensuring the highway remains operational. Additional forces have been sent to the district and multiple diversion routes are ready if required.Kabir insisted turnout would be high, remarking that “People will come because this is a historic moment for the area,” dismissing both political backlash and the heavy security bandobast.
