BJP leader in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on TMC over the Babri Masjid issue. He alleged that Trinamool Congress is doing appeasement politics on this matter.
Kolkata: Once again, sharp statements regarding historical symbols and identity have started in the politics of West Bengal. Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday launched an aggressive attack on Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, saying that if the BJP comes to power in the upcoming assembly elections, it will start the process of removing “names and symbols of Mughal rulers” from the state. His statement has sparked a new debate in the politics of the state.
If BJP comes, name will be changed – Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that during the tenure of the current TMC government, the names of “foreign invaders” were inscribed on public places, institutions and monuments. Directly referring to Babar and other Mughal rulers, he said that such names will be reviewed and removed if the BJP government is formed.
He said, “Wait till April. When BJP forms the government, then people will see what changes happen.” According to the official, the move will not be limited to Babar alone, but will be a comprehensive plan to remove Mughal era names and symbols across Bengal.
Sharp attack on Mughal rulers
Suvendu Adhikari in his statement termed the Mughal rulers as “foreign invaders”. He specifically named Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan, alleging that forced conversions, demolition of temples and atrocities against women took place during their reign. He said that from Darjeeling to Digha and Cooch Behar to Kakdweep—wherever names or symbols associated with Mughal rulers exist, they will be removed in a phased manner if the BJP government is formed.
The officer’s statement has revived the debate of “preserving history versus rewriting it”. Critics say removing historical names does not erase the past, while BJP supporters call it a process of getting rid of “colonial and invader mentality”. According to political analysts, this statement could be part of a polarization strategy in West Bengal, where cultural identity and historical memory are being brought to the center of the election discourse.
Babri Masjid dispute increased tension
In recent times, the issue related to Babri Masjid has also become politically sensitive in West Bengal. Earlier, former TMC leader Humayun Kabir had created controversy by announcing plans to build “Babri Masjid” in Murshidabad district. After this statement, TMC suspended him from the party. After this Humayun Kabir formed a separate political party Janata Unnayan Party (JUP). The development has further intensified the debate over communal and historical symbols in the state.
Trinamool Congress has described Suvendu Adhikari’s statement as “divisive and inflammatory”. Party leaders say that BJP is trying to divide the society by weaponizing history. TMC claims that Bengal is a state with a tradition of diversity and inclusion, where historical heritage should be preserved rather than erased.
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