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A fresh controversy has erupted over the alleged foundation stone laying ceremony of a proposed “Babri Masjid” in Murshidabad’s Rejinagar on December 6. The row began after suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir announced ahead of the event that two imams from Saudi Arabia would attend the ceremony, drawing large crowds and wide publicity.

After the event, it emerged that the two imams present on the stage were not foreign nationals but residents of West Bengal. They were identified as Qari Sufia from Daulatabad in Murshidabad district and Sheikh Abdullah from East Medinipur, triggering sharp criticism from sections of the religious community.

Several religious leaders accused the organisers of misleading people and creating religious confusion. Discontent over the issue also surfaced strongly on social media, with many questioning the claims made before the programme.

Responding to the allegations, Humayun Kabir said he was being framed as part of a conspiracy. He claimed he had assigned an intermediary to arrange the Saudi guests and had paid expenses for their travel and stay, but later found that no one had arrived from Saudi Arabia. Mediator Khandakar Yusuf admitted that bringing foreign guests was not possible at the last moment and said he could not clarify the matter from the stage due to the crowd. Kabir has accused state minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury of being behind the entire episode.