In a fresh political flashpoint in West Bengal, the act of laying a foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in Beldanga has drawn sharp condemnation from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The incident, involving suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir, has escalated tensions, with BJP's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari issuing a strong warning about its potential consequences.
Adhikari's Stern Warning on 'Dangerous Step'
Reacting to the event that took place on December 6, 2025, Suvendu Adhikari did not mince words. The BJP MLA labeled the move as a "dangerous step" that could disturb communal harmony. He clarified the BJP's stance, stating that the party has no inherent issue with the construction of new religious places of worship chosen by communities. However, he vehemently opposed the specific invocation of the historical Babri Masjid, linked to Mughal emperor Babar, in this context.
Adhikari's remarks underscore the sensitive nature of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue in national politics and its reverberations in state-level discourse. By directly naming Kabir's action, the LoP positioned it as a deliberate provocation rather than a simple act of religious construction.
A Call to Hindu Consolidation and Political Ramifications
Adhikari further amplified his political message, framing the event as a catalyst for Hindu political awakening in Bengal. He asserted that "Hindus are waking up" and would now act decisively in their own interest. In a statement aimed at the broader electoral landscape, he predicted that "whoever works in the interest of Hindus will rule Bengal in the days to come."
Directly targeting Humayun Kabir's political future, Adhikari made a bold claim regarding voter behavior. He declared that "not a single Hindu will vote (for Humayun Kabir)" in the aftermath of this controversy. This statement is seen as an attempt to polarize the electorate along religious lines and consolidate the Hindu vote bank against the TMC, especially in constituencies with significant Hindu populations.
Analyzing the Fallout and Next Steps
The incident has several immediate implications for West Bengal's volatile political environment:
- Intra-Party Pressure on TMC: Humayun Kabir is already a suspended MLA from the ruling party. This new action puts further pressure on the TMC leadership to take a definitive stand, balancing its minority support base with broader secular credentials.
- BJP's Political Strategy: Adhikari's comments clearly signal the BJP's intent to keep identity politics and historical grievances at the forefront of its campaign against the TMC government.
- Law and Order Concerns: Such symbolic acts have the potential to spark localized tensions. The state administration will be on alert to prevent any communal flare-ups in Beldanga and surrounding areas.
The foundation stone-laying event, therefore, transcends a local issue. It has been swiftly leveraged by the principal opposition leader to frame a larger narrative about religious identity, political loyalty, and the future of governance in West Bengal. The political discourse in the state is now set to be dominated by this controversy in the coming days, with both sides digging in for a protracted battle.
