Socialist Party (India) expresses strong concern and condemns the recent announcement regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. It believes that the announcement has been made to communally polarise the state before the forthcoming assembly election. The Party reiterates that the construction, management and naming of religious places are matters best left to respective religious communities. When political leaders take such initiatives unilaterally, they often come with ulterior motives rather than genuine concern for communal harmony.
The Party emphasises that the construction of a mosque is not the issue. What raises alarm is the choice of the name “Babri Masjid”—a name historically associated with conflict—and the timing of the announcement, which comes precisely ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections. These factors unmistakably point to an attempt to polarise voters and exploit religious sentiments for electoral gain.
The situation becomes even more troubling with the simultaneous announcement by a BJP leader of the construction of a Ram temple at another place in Behrampur district itself. Such coordinated moves clearly reveal the political script that lies ahead—one designed to deepen religious divisions and vitiate the atmosphere of peace in West Bengal.
Socialist Party (India) firmly opposes any effort to divert the public from real issues such as unemployment, inflation, public health, education and social welfare. The Party believes that deliberately stoking communal sentiments is an attack on the democratic and secular fabric of the country.
The Party demands the immediate withdrawal of politically motivated announcements related to religious constructions, intervention and vigilance by the Election Commission to prevent the use of religion for electoral advantage and assurance from the State administration that no steps will be taken that may disturb communal harmony during the election period.
Socialist Party (India) appeals to the people of West Bengal to see through these divisive tactics and uphold the values of unity, peace and constitutional morality.