Construction work for a mosque modeled after the demolished Babri Masjid officially began today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Beldanga, located in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The project is being spearheaded by Humayun Kabir, a suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and current leader of the newly formed Janata Unnayan Party.
The commencement was marked by a Quran recitation program involving nearly 1,200 participants, followed by the start of formal construction work between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. This follows the symbolic laying of the foundation stone on December 6 last year, a date chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the original structure in Ayodhya.
Project Details & The ‘Babri Yatra’
The ambitious project, which aims to replicate the architectural inspiration of the original Babri Mosque, is estimated to cost approximately ₹55 crore. According to Kabir:
- Timeline: The construction is expected to be completed within three years.
- Key Features: The structure will include a massive 14-meter-high and 5-meter-wide gate, costing an estimated ₹5 crore alone.
- Funding: Kabir claims to have received over ₹1.30 crore in public donations so far.
To counter “misinformation” and build awareness, Kabir is launching a “Babri Yatra” tomorrow, Thursday, February 12. The rally will consist of 100 vehicles and 600 participants, traveling a total of 265 kilometers from Palashi in Nadia district to Itahar in North Dinajpur district.
Political & Security Context
The initiative has caused significant political friction in West Bengal. Kabir was suspended from the TMC shortly before the foundation stone ceremony last December, with party leadership citing “communal provocation.”
- Political Shifts: Kabir has since launched the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) and is seeking alliances with the AIMIM and the CPI(M) for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
- Security Measures: Given the sensitive nature of the naming, authorities have deployed high security, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) units and central forces, to prevent communal unrest.
- Opposition: Hindutva groups have voiced strong opposition, while the BJP has accused the move of being a “scripted” attempt to polarize voters ahead of the polls.