Religious Tensions Rise as BJP Leader Conducts Bhumi Puja for Ram Temple Replica Following Babri Masjid Foundation in Murshidabad

Sakharov Sarkar emphasized the constitutional right to establish worship places as part of his initiative.

Following suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's foundation stone laying for Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, BJP leader Sakharov Sarkar and party members conducted a Bhumi Puja (Groundbreaking ceremony) and Shila Pratishtha (Idol consecration) on Saturday for creating an Ayodhya Ram 'Lala' Temple replica.

Murshidabad BJP leader Sakharov Sarkar stated, "As I mentioned on December 6, we will perform all necessary rituals for establishing the Ram temple. We have decided to build an Ayodhya Ram Lala temple replica in Behrampore, and today we conducted the Shila Pratishtha through the newly formed Ram Mandir charitable trust. This Berhampore temple will be extensive and will incorporate both a hospital and a school."

Meanwhile, Humayun Kabir, the suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA, laid the foundation stone for constructing a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad.

Kabir highlighted the constitutional right to construct worship places, asserting that his actions were constitutional, saying, "just as anyone can build a temple or church, I can build a mosque."

The Indian Constitution's Article 26, Clause (a) provides every religious denomination the fundamental right "to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes," subject to public order, morality, and health considerations.

Speaking to gatherers in Murshidabad, Kabir emphasized, "My actions are entirely constitutional. If someone can construct a temple or church, I have the right to build a mosque. Some claim we cannot build the Babri Masjid, but this isn't written anywhere. The Supreme Court judgment acknowledged that Hindu individuals demolished the Babri Masjid. Considering Hindu sentiments, the decision favored building a temple there. Now we see someone laying a Ram Temple foundation stone in Sagardighi. However, the Constitution permits us to establish a mosque."

Following his suspension from TMC, Kabir indicated he might announce his own political party on December 22.