The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the body overseeing the construction of the mosque in Dhannipur as mandated by the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya verdict, has issued a strong condemnation. The target of their criticism is the decision by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir to build a mosque named after Mughal emperor Babur in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
A 'Politically Motivated' Act Defeats Sacred Purpose
Secretary of the foundation, Athar Husain, labeled the move a 'politically' motivated act that defeats the sacred purpose of constructing a place of worship. Husain clarified that the intention to build a mosque is inherently good and sacrosanct. "But when you deliberately link it to the politics of the past and choose a name that carries decades of controversy, it no longer serves the purpose faith demands," he asserted.
He elaborated on the core Islamic principle of 'taqwa', meaning god-consciousness and purity of belief. "Performing namaz is among the most important acts for a believer, but that purity is lost the moment politics enters the mosque," Husain stressed. He emphasized that a house of Allah must have absolutely no space for political symbolism.
Referring to Ayodhya Verdict, IICF Says 'Chapter is Closed'
Husain pointed to the landmark Supreme Court judgment of November 9, 2019, which resolved the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. The verdict allotted the original site in Ayodhya for the construction of a Ram temple and provided five acres in Dhannipur village to the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board for a new mosque. "The chapter is closed. Anything done now in the name of 'Babri Masjid' is purely politics," the IICF secretary stated, underscoring that the legal and constitutional process has concluded.
An Appeal for Harmony and a New Name
In a direct appeal, Athar Husain urged MLA Humayun Kabir to reconsider the proposed name. He reminded Kabir that he carries the name of the great saint Kabir, who preached Hindu-Muslim unity and upliftment of the downtrodden—values aligned with Islamic teachings.
"If you truly want to build a mosque with your own resources, name it 'Kabir Masjid' or 'Hindustani Masjid' or after Murshidabad itself," Husain suggested. He argued that such a name would send a powerful message of harmony instead of division. He further noted that within India's secular framework, while the state cannot fund such projects, a unifying initiative could have attracted voluntary contributions from diverse communities.
Husain warned that clinging to a controversial historical figure like Babur would only polarize communities and deter cross-religious support. "A mosque must rise only on taqwa, not on politics," he concluded, adding that Kabir's remarks had already led to his suspension from the TMC.
Meanwhile, reacting to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "This is nothing but TMC's drama. If a single stone is laid, the BJP government will uproot the foundation stones as soon as we come to power in West Bengal." This statement adds a sharp political dimension to the ongoing debate, highlighting the interstate ramifications of the issue.
