A socio-religious organization in Hyderabad has ignited a fresh political storm by announcing plans to construct a 'Babri Masjid Memorial' in the Greater Hyderabad region, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the mosque's demolition on December 6, 1992. Tehreek Muslim Shabban president Mushtaq Malik, who also serves as convenor of the Telangana Muslim Joint Action Committee, made the declaration during a public meeting, stating that the memorial would include welfare institutions and could break ground by December 2026. Malik dismissed ongoing debates around Mughal emperor Babur as "political propaganda" aimed at dividing the nation, emphasizing the project's intent to honor the historic site while fostering community development. This follows a similar initiative in West Bengal's Murshidabad, where a suspended Trinamool Congress MLA laid the foundation for a Babri Masjid-style structure, further fueling national discourse on the sensitive issue.
The announcement has drawn sharp condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which labeled it "dangerous and inflammatory," warning that it could incite communal tensions years after the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict resolved the Ayodhya dispute by allowing a Ram Temple on the contested site and allotting alternative land for a mosque. BJP Telangana spokesperson NV Subhash urged the state government to intervene and maintain law and order, while national general secretary Tarun Chugh asserted that India would "never accept any monument or object in the name of Babur," portraying the emperor's legacy as one of tyranny. The BJP has also criticized the silence of Telangana's Congress-led government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, suggesting that inaction could embolden divisive elements and lead to unrest.
The Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya triggered widespread riots across India, claiming thousands of lives and deepening communal divides, before the landmark Supreme Court ruling aimed to bring closure. Malik's proposal, while framed as a commemorative and welfare-focused effort, has reignited debates on historical grievances, with critics viewing it as an attempt to reopen settled matters. Proponents, however, see it as a peaceful way to preserve cultural memory amid ongoing political narratives around Mughal history.
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As the controversy escalates, calls for dialogue and restraint have emerged from various quarters, with local authorities yet to respond officially. The Telangana government faces pressure to balance freedom of expression with maintaining harmony, especially as the announcement aligns with partnerships like the one mentioned with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. Observers note that such developments could influence upcoming political dynamics in the state, where communal issues often intersect with electoral strategies.
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