Biharsharif: JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar stated that Muslims have the constitutional right to construct a mosque in Murshidabad that follows the design of the historic Babri Masjid. He supported West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir, who was suspended by the Trinamool Congress after laying the foundation stone for the structure.
Kumar spoke to journalists in Nalanda. He said the Constitution gives every citizen the freedom to practice and propagate religion. He added that if Muslims choose to build a mosque that reflects their religious sentiments, no one should oppose it. His remarks stand out because his party is an ally of the BJP at both the Centre and in Bihar.
He distanced himself from the BJP’s criticism that a mosque linked to Babur honours an invader. He said he has no personal view of Babur, and that India has followed the Constitution since Independence, which grants freedom of religion to all communities.
Reporters asked him about the BJP’s strong opposition to the proposed mosque in West Bengal. The JD(U) MP responded that the situation was being viewed in a narrow way. He said the suspension of Kabir came from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party, which acted against a Muslim leader who expressed his religious beliefs.
Kabir represents Bharatpur in Murshidabad. He laid the foundation stone on December 6. The Calcutta High Court declined to stop the construction a day earlier. The mosque he proposed draws inspiration from the Babri Masjid, which was demolished in 1992. A Ram temple now stands on the site after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the title dispute.
 MP Kaushalendra Kumar says Muslims have the constitutional right to build a Babri Masjid style mosque in Murshidabad and backs suspended MLA Humayun Kabir.){kind=link}