Security tight as Babri Masjid anniversary sparks tense planning in Murshidabad
Security tight as Babri Masjid anniversary sparks tense planning in Murshidabad
As the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary approaches, Bengal deploys security in Murshidabad ahead of a controversial foundation ceremony involving a suspended MLA.
As the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition approaches, Bengal is tightening security amid a tense backdrop in Murshidabad. Authorities anticipate possible communal sensitivities around a controversial foundation-laying ceremony planned by a suspended TMC MLA for a replica mosque in the district. The ceremony is set to take place in Murshidabad's Beldanga area on December 6, the anniversary date of the Ayodhya demolition, drawing scrutiny from authorities and political observers alike.
Calcutta High Court has directed the Bengal government to pull out all stops to prevent communal unrest in the area as the event nears. Security has been heightened with a robust deployment of police and central forces, with officials reporting more than 3,500 personnel on standby to maintain law and order and to deter potential clashes.
Humayun Kabir, the suspended MLA behind the foundation proposal, has said the event will be peaceful and centered on religious recitation, insisting that it is not a political statement. The Trinamool Congress has denied involvement in the plan, suggesting it is part of a broader political conspiracy, a claim the opposition has challenged as being weaponized for rival narratives.
The episode echoes a long legal and political arc surrounding the Babri Masjid demolition and its aftermath. In 2019, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court allocated land at the Ayodhya site for a Ram temple to be built by a trust, while allotting five acres elsewhere for a mosque. The latest developments underscore how the legacy of that watershed moment continues to shape political rhetoric and public order in the region.
Security authorities emphasize their readiness to respond to any escalation while aiming to ensure that religious sentiments are respected and public safety is preserved. The coming days will reveal how authorities balance the right to religious observance with the need to prevent division and violence in a highly sensitive political climate.
Cover image source: A 'Babri Masjid' row in Bengal: HC refuses to intervene, security heightened ahead of foundation event in Murshidabad 🔗
