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West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday sharply criticised the foundation stone laying of a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, calling the move "a dangerous step".
Speaking to ANI, Adhikari alleged that invoking the name of Babar was provocative and accused the state government of extending police protection to the event while restricting Hindu religious practices. "It is a dangerous step. We have no problem with building a new religious place or building of our choice. But Babar's name is being invoked. Who was Babar? He was not Indian. He was a rapist and a robber. His name was invoked without any permission," he said. "Mamata Banerjee provided police protection, and in Bengal, one has to approach the court to celebrate Saraswati Puja. A few days ago, the police transported Goddess Kali in a prison van, which is why there is public outrage in Bengal. What has happened today is a dangerous step. This does not offer any peace," Adhikari said. The West Bengal LoP said that the act is alarming as there is a Hindu minority in Murshidabad, and there has already been a migration of Hindus after the district riots. "There is a Hindu minority in Murshidabad. A few days ago, only Hindus migrated from Dhuliyan Samserganj, where the population is 16% Hindu. Hargobind Das and Chandan Das were murdered (in the riots). That is why this is very alarming," Suvendu Adhikari added. Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. He drew attention to the constitutional right to build places of worship and said that he is not doing anything unconstitutional, "as anyone can make a temple or church, so can I". Clause (a) of Article 26 in the Indian Constitution grants every religious denomination the fundamental right "to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes". This is subject to public order, morality and health. Addressing the gathering in Murshidabad, Kabir said, "I am not doing anything unconstitutional. Anyone can build a temple, anyone can build a church; I will build a mosque. It is being said that we cannot build the Babri Masjid. It is not written anywhere. The Supreme Court gave a judgment which stated that the Hindu people had demolished the Babri Masjid. Considering the sentiments of Hindus, the decision was taken to build a temple here. Now we see someone laying the foundation stone for a Ram Temple in Sagardighi. But the Constitution allows us to build a mosque." A proposed Ram Mandir is being built in Alankar village of Sagardighi. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the same on January 22. After TMC suspended him, Kabir said that he might announce his own party on December 22. (ANI)
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