Babri-style mosque in WB’s Murshidabad: Rs 1.3 cr raised, online donations hit Rs 93 lakh

Baharampur: Donation boxes for the proposed Babri Masjid-style mosque initiated by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir in West Bengal's Murshidabad district are nearly full, with cash-counting machines working through the night as contributions continue to flow in both physically and online.

So far, Rs 37.33 lakh in cash has been counted from four donation boxes and one sack, while online donations via QR codes have reached Rs 93 lakh, pushing the total beyond Rs 1.30 crore. Seven sealed boxes remain unopened, according to sources close to Kabir.

Kabir laid the mosque's foundation stone at Rejinagar on December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, amid heavy security, an act that intensified political tensions in Bengal ahead of elections.

A former Congress MLA who joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2012, briefly switched to BJP, and returned to TMC in 2020, Kabir is known for political theatrics and was suspended for repeated clashes with party leadership.

The event attracted tens of thousands, with elaborate arrangements and serving shahi biryani to about 40,000 attendees.

Eleven large stainless steel donation boxes were placed at the site, with Kabir appealing for funds for construction. Supporters continue to bring cash and even bricks, as locals report.

Cash counting began Sunday evening with 30 personnel using machines and was live-streamed for transparency. The remaining boxes are to be opened on Monday evening under supervision.

Kabir said the public response "exceeded all expectations," with donations reportedly coming from abroad as well.

Security measures include moving funds to CCTV-monitored rooms and coordinating with banks for safe handling.

Kabir’s suspension ahead of the foundation stone ceremony followed TMC distancing itself from his announcement. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rally against voter list revision clashed with the timing, leading Kabir to walk out in protest.

Kabir plans to launch a new political party on December 22, intending to contest 135 assembly seats, while vowing to construct the Rejinagar mosque at any cost.

Despite escalating political tensions, locals report ongoing support with contributions of construction materials, signalling the project's potent role as a political and religious flashpoint in Bengal’s pre-election period.

With inputs from PTI