Murshidabad: “I had contributed ₹6,000 with faith, not for politics,” said Chaider Sheikh, his voice carrying both disbelief and anguish. A devout resident of Domkal, Chaider recalled how he had felt a deep sense of joy upon hearing about the proposed construction of a Babri Masjid in the area. He had visited the site, offered Friday prayers, and contributed financially, believing it to be a sacred effort. But the recent controversy has left him shaken.

“While the practice of weaponising religion for political ends is a long-standing phenomenon, the allegations against Humayun Kabir amount to nothing less than an act of betrayal. It reflects utter contempt for the simple faith and spiritual purity of ordinary people,” he said.

Bricks of Betrayal: How Your Mosque Funds Bought Political Power

Emphasising the sanctity of religious institutions, Chaider added, “According to Islamic tenets, a mosque is the ‘House of Allah’—a sacred symbol of purity and unity. To exploit such profound religious sentiment for electoral gain is not only unethical but also stands in direct opposition to the core values of the faith.”

He further warned, “When a place of worship is turned into a ‘trump card’ in the pursuit of power, the moral foundation of such politics collapses entirely.” Sahabul Sheikh, another local resident, echoed similar sentiments of betrayal. He too had visited the proposed mosque site with his wife, offered prayers, and made a financial contribution toward its construction.

“Religion teaches us the values of honesty and integrity. Those who, in the name of religion, tread the path of unrighteousness and toy with people’s faith—regardless of their other credentials—have no place in leadership,” he said. He added firmly, “I strongly protest against this incident and demand appropriate punishment for those found guilty.”

Sacrilege: Stop Treating the House of Allah as a Political Pawn

Religious leaders have also reacted sharply. An Imam, speaking on the issue, remarked, “A mosque is a sanctuary for worship, not an election office for any political party. The time has come to unmask those who seek to further their own self-interests by exploiting the emotions of ordinary Muslims. The entire Muslim community ought to socially boycott anyone who has the audacity to treat a holy site as a mere pawn on a chessboard.” He asserted unequivocally, “One cannot scheme and manipulate the House of Allah and expect to get away with it.”

The anger across Murshidabad intensified after a purported sting operation video featuring Humayun Kabir, Chairman of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, went viral on social media platforms. In the clip, Kabir is allegedly seen demanding ₹1,000 crore from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in exchange for influencing Muslim voters in West Bengal. He is purportedly heard outlining a strategy to unseat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “at any cost,” claiming links with senior BJP leaders and even contact with the Prime Minister’s Office.

The video also contains references to his alleged interactions with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, as well as chief ministers Mohan Yadav and Himanta Biswa Sarma. It further outlines a controversial electoral strategy, where Kabir allegedly claims that diverting Muslim votes could ensure BJP’s victory, while asserting he could influence 70–80 Muslim-majority seats and secure the post of Deputy Chief Minister in return.

Sold Out: Sting Operation Video Exposes ₹1000 Crore Political Deal

The clip also refers to extensive financial planning, with Kabir allegedly stating that he would require ₹3–4 crore per constituency—amounting to nearly ₹1,000 crore—to execute the plan. However, it must be noted that eNewsroom has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.

As the video spread, anger spilled onto the streets and social media, with many accusing Kabir of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain. Some users mockingly referred to him as “Murshidabad’s second Mir Jafar,” invoking a name synonymous with betrayal. Others labelled him a “BJP stooge.” Alamgir Hossain, a schoolteacher, expressed deep anguish over what he described as a dangerous and unethical trend.

“A mosque is not a political pawn; we demand an end to this dirty game involving religion,” he said. He added that if the video proves authentic, it reveals a deeply troubling mindset. “The true colours of Humayun Kabir—now exposed to the public—are not merely reprehensible but utterly disgraceful,” he remarked, calling it a “despicable conspiracy” to exploit the simple faith of ordinary Muslims. Raising broader concerns, Hossain warned, “If the viral video proves authentic, it becomes abundantly clear that, to him, religion is nothing more than a ‘vote bank.’”

Selling Out the Community: Murshidabad Rejects BJP-Kabir Nexus

Rabiul Islam of Beldanga voiced anger in blunt terms: “Are we, as members of the Muslim community, mere cattle, or are we devoid of intellect? Are we expected to simply accept it when people of this kind engage in such acts? Is our religious sentiment merely a commodity to be put up for sale? We possess our own faculty of reason, and we will certainly hold them accountable.”

Jainal Abedin struck a similar note, saying, “Ordinary, devout people in this country aspire to establish institutions like mosques—whether by contributing a portion of their earnings or by offering moral support. If leaders like Humayun Kabir exploit this sentiment to secretly devise their own ‘schemes,’ it would constitute a monumental betrayal of the broader Muslim community.” He added, “If any individual or leader compromises the fundamental pillars of Islam or its sacred sites, they ought to be politically and socially ostracised.”

The outrage has also played out sharply on social media. Mirajul Islam, in a detailed Facebook post, wrote, “I had my doubts about this man right from the start. He tried to project himself as a ‘Messiah’ of Muslims by exploiting sentiments surrounding the Babri Masjid issue.” He alleged that emotional appeals were used to mobilise support. “People were influenced to such an extent that some even carried bricks to the proposed site in Beldanga.”

The Fake Messiah: Kabir Threatens Suit as Older Clips Prove Reality

Mirajul further claimed, “He has raised crores of rupees in the name of the mosque, only to spend it on campaign activities, including helicopter travel,” alleging a “secret nexus” with the BJP. Another user, Manzur Alam, offered a broader reflection: “The viral video did not appear to be AI-generated in the slightest. This reflects what I believe to be the unvarnished reality of Humayun.”

He added, “Many Muslim political leaders are not genuine well-wishers of the community. They often use the community as a stepping stone to attain power,” while also stressing the need for realistic political engagement and stronger non-political collective action, citing Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. Fazlul Hoque, a resident of Lalbagh, offered a sharply worded reaction: “Behold the specter of Mir Jafar in Murshidabad—he seeks to line his own pockets by accepting ₹1,000 crore from the BJP… The unfortunate Muslim community falls prey to charlatans who win hearts with honeyed words, only to lead them toward ruin.”

Responding to the controversy, Humayun Kabir has denied the authenticity of the viral video, alleging it was fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI) by the ruling party. “If they fail to prove otherwise, I will file a defamation suit seeking ₹2,000 crore in damages,” he said.

However, an older video of Kabir, showing a similar setting and background as seen in the alleged sting clip, is also circulating on social media.