Murshidabad, December 10: A new controversy has arisen regarding the alleged foundation stone laying ceremony of the Babri Masjid in Beldanga, West Bengal, on December 6. Before the event, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir had announced that two imams from Saudi Arabia would be attending the ceremony.
Based on his claims, the event was widely publicized, and a large number of people attended. Later, it came to light that the two “foreign imams” mentioned on stage were residents of West Bengal. One of them was Qari Sufia from Daulatabad in Murshidabad district, and the other was Sheikh Abdullah from East Medinipur.
Many members of the religious community have called this an attempt to mislead people by spreading religious confusion. This has also sparked outrage and criticism on social media.
Responding to these allegations, Humayun Kabir stated that he had been framed as part of a conspiracy. He stated that he had entrusted an intermediary with the responsibility of arranging guests from Saudi Arabia and had also reimbursed all travel and accommodation expenses. However, it was later revealed that no one from Saudi Arabia arrived. The intermediary, Khandakar Yusuf, also admitted that arranging foreign guests was impossible at the last minute and that the crowd had prevented him from clarifying this from the stage.
MLA Humayun Kabir accused state minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury of being behind the entire incident. However, Siddiqullah Chowdhury vehemently rejected these allegations, stating that he felt no need to defame anyone and that Humayun should take responsibility for his actions.
Meanwhile, local clerics have reiterated that the news of any religious leader from Saudi Arabia attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Murshidabad Mosque is completely false. The administration has also warned that strict action will be taken against those who spread misleading news in the name of religious sentiments.