Will Humayun Kabir Truly Shift to Religious Activities Once Mamata Banerjee Exits Politics?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Humayun Kabir focuses on religious activities if Mamata Banerjee exits politics.
- Proposed Babri Mosque mirrors original Ayodhya structure.
- Rhetoric surrounding public funds and political accountability.
- Kabir challenges Abhishek Banerjee on leadership viability.
- Religious sentiments intertwined with political ambitions in West Bengal.
Kolkata, Dec 28 (NationPress) The suspended Trinamool Congress member, Humayun Kabir, who recently established his own political organization, Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), declared on Sunday that he will shift his focus solely to religious activities the moment West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee steps away from politics.
Kabir made this announcement in a video message, responding to comments made by Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, suggesting that individuals are free to initiate the building of any religious structure after exiting political life.
Though Abhishek Banerjee did not specify anyone directly, it was widely interpreted that his remarks were aimed at Kabir, who not only founded his own party but also proposed the establishment of a Babri Mosque in Beldanga, located in Murshidabad district, according to political analysts.
The mosque is intended to resemble the original structure in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, which was destroyed on December 6, 1992.
In retaliation, Kabir stated in his video that he would heed Abhishek Banerjee’s counsel if he could persuade his aunt, Mamata Banerjee, to withdraw from politics and avoid contesting in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
"Simultaneously, I urge Abhishek Banerjee to persuade his aunt to relocate to the Lord Jagannath temple at Digha, which she constructed, and focus on religious pursuits there. If she does this, I assure you and the people of West Bengal, I will dedicate myself exclusively to the Babri mosque and abstain from any political engagements," Kabir stated in his video.
Kabir also indicated that if Mamata Banerjee does this, he would resign from his party and entrust leadership to another individual.
The Digha temple, as asserted by the Chief Minister, mirrors the renowned Shri Jagannath Dham temple in Puri, Odisha. The Digha temple has been embroiled in controversy since its inception for various reasons.
In his message, he also challenged Abhishek Banerjee to present himself as a candidate for Chief Minister of West Bengal in the upcoming elections.
"If you secure public support, you will become the next Chief Minister. On one side, your aunt will keep building temples, utilizing public funds, while you will advise me to focus on religious tasks after leaving politics. Remember, public funds do not belong to the Chief Minister personally. Prove your acceptability to the people of West Bengal," Kabir remarked.
"The Babri Mosque, which I am proposing, is being financed not through public money but through contributions from the Muslim community. This illustrates your anti-Muslim stance. The Muslim community will respond appropriately in the near future," Kabir concluded.