KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Friday refused to intervene in the construction of a mosque "modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid" at Beldanga in West Bengal's Murshidabad, proposed by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir.
The court's observation comes ahead of the scheduled foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed 'Babri Masjid' on December 6, which also marks the anniversary of the demolition of the original sanctum.
The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, after hearing a PIL seeking a stay on the foundation stone laying ceremony for the proposed mosque, directed that the responsibility of maintenance of law and order would rest with the West Bengal government.
The PIL, which was filed on Thursday, sought the stay on grounds that the ceremony could disrupt communal harmony in the region.
The petitioner prayed that the court should take immediate action against Kabir's provocative remarks that have allegedly disrupted communal harmony.
"The writ petition pertains to stop the foundation stone laying of Babri Masjid in Beldanga Block 1, Murshidabad to maintain Law and order. The MLA has been using filthy and derogatory statements and hate speech against a community, which causes breach of public tranquility. Such kind of statements and hate speech over social media and You Tube news portal, being a Member of Legislative Assembly, may break the communal harmony of our state as well as our country," the petition stated.
Kabir, who has hogged the limelight in the past with controversial statements on matters, including the party's internal affairs, was suspended by the Trinamool Congress on Thursday for indulging in what it termed "communal politics".
The suspended leader subsequently announced his decision to resign as MLA and launch his own party later this month.
Security tightened
A day ahead of a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of the proposed mosque, security has been tightened in the locality on Friday with deployment of additional forces, officials said.
The area has been placed under a "high security" zone, with the police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and BSF units being mobilised, they said.
RAF personnel reached Rejinagar earlier in the day and were stationed at a local school before final deployment, an official said, adding that reinforcements have also been made from Krishnanagar and Berhampore.
The central forces conducted route marches and were seen patrolling areas near the proposed mosque construction site, he said.
Kabir, who was seen monitoring stage preparations at Rejinagar, submitted a formal request, seeking permission for the programme, but an official said the administration has not yet approved.