The hoardings were spotted at five locations between Lucknow’s 1090 Chauraha and Gomti Nagar. They featured images of Lord Ram and VHRP national president Gopal Rai on one side, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on the other. In one poster, Kabir was depicted in Mughal-era attire, a portrayal police officials described as inflammatory.
According to senior police officers, the hoardings were removed shortly after they were noticed, and surveillance has been intensified in sensitive areas. “We are closely monitoring social media and ground activity to prevent any breach of law and order,” a Lucknow police official said.
The controversy centres on a mosque project proposed in Beldanga, Murshidabad, which its supporters describe as being modelled on the erstwhile Babri Masjid. On December 6 last year, Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for the project, an event that drew a large gathering and coincided with the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the Babri structure in Ayodhya. Following widespread criticism, the TMC suspended Kabir, distancing the party from his actions and statements.
VHRP president Gopal Rai said the organisation would travel to Murshidabad on February 10 to oppose the project, claiming it would not allow the construction to proceed. His remarks, including threats and calls for political change in West Bengal, have been flagged by authorities as potentially inciting.
The dispute has been simmering since late 2024, when Kabir first spoke publicly about building a replica of the Babri Masjid, calling it an “emotional issue” for Muslims. The proposal drew sharp reactions from political parties across the spectrum, with the BJP opposing the use of the Babri name and the TMC asserting it had no role in the initiative.
With February 10 approaching, central and state agencies are coordinating to ensure security in both Lucknow and Murshidabad. Officials said preventive measures, including intelligence gathering and possible restrictions on movement, may be enforced to avert escalation.
