The issue of Babri Masjid is hot in West Bengal.
West Bengal Assembly elections are at its peak. A round of allegations and counter-allegations is going on. A clash is visible between the ruling TMC in the state and the BJP ruling at the centre. Meanwhile, while addressing the election meetings, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the names of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and Humayun Kabir and said – listen with open ears. No one will be able to build Mai Ka Lal Babri Masjid. After his statement the election temperature of West Bengal has increased.
Come, on this pretext, let us know how the replica of Babri Masjid of Ayodhya, which was said to be built in Bengal, got this name? Babar or his gay friend, who is the mosque connected to? Why did Amit Shah warn?
What is the root cause of the latest controversy?
In fact, TMC leader Humayun Kabir announced the construction of Babri Masjid on about eight acres of land in Murshidabad district on December 6 last year. Claims were made to start its construction in February 2026. The politics of West Bengal had heated up after Kabir’s announcement on the anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya. Now it has started boiling because elections are going on. Regarding this proposed mosque, Amit Shah has threatened not to allow it to be built. Time will decide whether the mosque will be built or not, but in the name of this latest controversy, it is necessary to turn the pages of history.
Who was Babar, who becomes visible in every election?
History often becomes a subject of debate in Indian politics. There are some names which come up again and again in election speeches. One such name is Babar, which has been appearing in the debate of Indian politics for years. Babar’s full name was Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babar. He was born in 1483. He was the ruler of the Ferghana region of Central Asia. Babar is linked to the lineage of Taimur and Genghis Khan. His early life was full of struggles. He fought in many battles to save power in his area. Later he took control of Kabul. Then his eyes turned towards India.
Mughal emperor Babar, who laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.
In the year 1526, he defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of Panipat. After this victory, his influence on Delhi and surrounding areas increased. After this, he fought further wars to strengthen his rule. Babar’s rule did not last very long. He died in 1530.
Then who is Babri?
Actually Babri was a friend of Babar. Babar was deeply in love with her. His love was of such a level that he hesitated even to go near his wife. Babar was of very shy nature so he could not even express his love. Babar has also mentioned these facts in his autobiography. It is mentioned in the autobiography that he felt a strange inclination towards a boy named Baburi or Babri. They fell madly in love with her. It is written that he never felt such inclination towards anyone in his life, not even towards his wife Ayesha Sultan Begum. Whenever he met Babri, he could not make eye contact with her. Couldn’t even say anything but were happy.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir had laid the symbolic foundation of ‘Babri Masjid’ in Murshidabad.
Is this why there is disagreement on Babar’s image?
There are differences of opinions regarding the image of Babar in history. Some people consider him a skilled military strategist. Some people also consider him culturally important because he wrote about his experiences and thoughts. His autobiography Baburnama is mentioned again and again. He was not just a warrior or a ruler. Baburnama reveals that Babur was emotionally complex, whose life was full of love, hesitation and internal conflict. On the other hand, critics consider him an attacker. They say that he came from outside and established power. Because of this difference, Babar’s name remains in controversies even today.
Why is the dispute between Babar and the mosque linked?
As soon as the name of Babar comes to India, the reference to Babri Masjid also comes to the mind of many people. This issue remained at the center of political and social debate for decades. This controversy had a deep impact on the politics of the country. There were long hearings in the courts. There were periods of tension in the society also. Therefore the name Babar is not just history. Now he has become involved in the politics of emotions and identity. That is why many times the word Babar is used as a symbol. This conflict brings political parties face to face. Same thing has happened this time also when Union Home Minister Amit Shah warned.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In whose name is Babri Masjid associated, Babar or Babri?
The straight and simple answer to this question is – Babar. The building which was constructed by Senapati Mirbanki after demolishing the Ram temple in Ayodhya, prima facie seems that he might have named the mosque after Emperor Babar. But due to the revelation of a lover named Babri or Baburi in history, it may seem that Emperor Babar might have suggested naming the mosque of Ayodhya after Babri. There is no written evidence of this because the mosque is easily associated with Babar’s name. Also in the name of Babri. Since the name of the emperor was Babar, historians associated the mosque with the name of Babar only and not with the name of Babri.
Why are BJP and TMC face to face?
BJP often talks on such issues in the language of cultural identity and the truth of history. The party gives the message that it takes a strict stance on issues related to faith and tradition. TMC, on the other hand, generally associates itself with the politics of secularism and social balance. She also says that such disputes increase polarization in the society. When there is a debate regarding a mosque or any historical name, the statements of both the parties start clashing. After this the debate does not remain only on history. The debate reaches to words like law and order, appeasement, vote bank and identity.
Amit Shah’s statement and political message
In such cases, when a big leader like Amit Shah gives a statement, it has more impact. His statement is also seen as the official line of the party. When he targeted Mamata Banerjee and Humayun Kabir, there is also a political message behind it. The message could be that TMC is catering to a particular community, or it is soft on bigotry. At the same time, the general answer from TMC is that BJP wants electoral benefits by instigating religious sentiments. The point to be noted here is that such issues arise rapidly during election time in India. Statements travel far through TV, social media and rallies. Then the answer to one statement becomes another statement. In this way the debate continues.
Why does Humayun Kabir’s name come into discussion?
The names of leaders like Humayun Kabir come into discussion when they give any statement, or they are accused of doing politics against a particular class. Many times even a single sentence of a leader becomes a big controversy. Then there is the party line, clarification, and counterattack. In such a situation, the attacks of central leaders also intensify. This sequence often continues in the media headlines.
What becomes the real issue?
In debates in the name of history, the real question is often left behind. What is employment? What is inflation? What is the condition of education and health? What is the condition of farmers and laborers? But when the debate focuses on symbolic names like Babar, many issues of public interest are less visible. Yet it would not be correct to say that issues of faith and identity are unimportant to people. These topics are emotional for many people. They associate them with respect and justice. Therefore, it is difficult to ignore them completely in politics.
Also read: Got respect from Akbar, insult from son, why were Mughals afraid of Guru Arjan Dev?
