Vivid Media focus on Humayun Kabir: The Political Firestorm

Undoubtedly Humayun Kabir could conceive the idea of building a temple in the style of the Babri Mosque. He showed courage because no one else in India has imagined even to do that. Significantly, he received an overwhelming response for it. This is certainly significant. However, the extensive media focus on Humayun Kabir seems somewhat inflated.  Thus, the Media focus has shifted even away from Mamata Banerjee.

Moreover, we must examine the key objectives of Humayun Kabir.  Additionally, his party, TMC  has been sidelined Kabir. So, he wanted to draw the party’s attention. Hence, he made a series of statements to achieve this. Nevertheless, Many of these comments were communal and provocative. The media highlighted them also.

Nevertheless, he suggested that Abhishek should become the Deputy Chief Minister so that Abhishek would remember him. Thus, the cunning politician wanted to keep his options open. In case Mamata Banerjee  removes him from her list of favorites, such a move might protect him.

TMC and the importance of Humayun Kabir

However, he was gaining no grip.  In addition, the party gave him almost no importance after 2024 General Election. Furthermore, after switching parties so many times, returning directly to the BJP or Congress is now a seemingly difficult proposal for him.  As a result, that Humayun Kabir earns extraordinary media focus now.

Eventually, came a controversial chapter, the Babri Mosque idea. After that, he put up banners and posters across Murshidabad. Indeed, his central message claimed Mamata Banerjee was neglecting Muslims.

There is certainly a harsh truth in this. On the other hand, the condition of rural Muslims in Bengal is genuinely appalling.

In reality, if the average income is around 5000 rupees, their situation is quite predictable. As a result, perhaps, the paltry cash benefit schemes of the Government remain their savior.  Moreover, a major chunk of them lives in a highly unhealthy conditions. So, media focus on Humayun Kabir is natural.

The rhetoric of deprivation

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee was inaugurating temples in a row and giving club grants for Durga Pooja festivals. Ordinary Muslims, somehow started feeling annoyed also. So, Humayun Kabir capitalized on this feeling of Muslim deprivation. Because of this, he brought up an issue they had emotionally invested in for a long time. Eventually, this slowly turned the issue into a matter of religion.

Because religion strongly influences the Bengali Muslim community, issues related to faith can become highly sensitive. In addition, Humayun Kabir introduced the Babri Mosque concept strategically. Meanwhile, he calculated that this theme would easily draw the poor Muslims to his side.

Moreover, Mamata Banerjee obstructs opposition leaders’ meetings and rallies. The administration is highly active in suppressing descent voices otherwise. In contrast, she said nothing to Humayun Kabir. Hence, no media outlet reported any attempt from Mamata Banerjee to stop him.

Media Focus on Humayun Kabir

Finally, TMC brought him onto the stage in the presence of Mamata Banerjee. Then, came the news of his suspension in a deeply harsh and unethical manner. Indeed, this was enough to trigger anger is anyone. So, Humayun becomes dogmatic. Consequently, his initiative for the Babri Mosque foundation stone was successful. The media focus on Humayun Kabir was unprecedented also.

However, has the land for the huge project he initiated actually reached him?

In contrast, the landowners suddenly fenced off the property. So, Kabir’s dream collapsed overnight. Subsequently, Kabir held the event on a much smaller plot in Beldanga, which is inadequate even for a mosque.

Exotic Media focus on Humayun Kabir

The emotion shown by the people, especially Muslims, was extraordinary. Moreover, some carried bricks on their heads, others brought sand. Donations grew so fast spontaneously that they needed to bring a money-counting machines. Moreover, the media is enthusiastically showing all these reports in their live channels. This is not particularly exciting. It certainly lacks the dramatic impact of the massive cash recovery from the residence of Partha Chatterjee’s girlfriend in the teachers’ scam case. Rather it is sensational.

Still, they are carefully avoiding the question of the land conflict. Meanwhile, a counter-reaction has emerged, a Ram Temple, also in the same Murshidabad.

Murshidabad’s demographic breakdown also is crucial here. Accordingly, Seventy percent are Muslim. Shamsherganj recently made headlines due to communal unrest and police inaction. This district is one of the most backward and underdeveloped also in the state. Moreover, Many young people leave almost daily to work as migrant laborers in other states.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adhir Chowdhury repeatedly requested a special train for Murshidabad’s migrant workers in the Lok Sabha. So, this context highlights the pitiable condition of the district.

Accordingly, many of those poor Muslims are donating money for this mosque, even spending their paltry savings.

Additionally, Murshidabad needs development. So, preventing migrant workers from leaving the state and providing an enabling atmosphere should be the district’s top priority.

Legacy of Murshidabad

Murshidabad was the seat of Nawabs, so it has no shortage of mosques. Instead of spending such humongous amount  on a mosque, the money should fund a factory, a large hospital, or a school. A mosque certainly fulfils the needs of devout Muslims. However, what is the use of a mosque when sustainability itself becomes a major crisis for the majority?

Hence, Humayun Kabir gained his mileage. Thus, the media brought him into such a spotlight that he is now hiring personal security and chartering helicopters. Indeed, he has won the first round of battle against Mamata Banerjee.

But will his popularity truly increase his credibility as a leader? Furthermore, how many Muslims, motivated by the Babri Mosque issue, will leave Mamata Banerjee and vote for him? In particular, that remains a million-dollar question. Besides, it is noteworthy that even after building the Ram Mandir, the BJP lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Ayodhya.

Societal Role of Media

In fact, the media is independent.  So, we hardly have got any intention of hindering of their freedom. But we expect a little more social responsibility from them besides their TRP.  As a result, they are enjoying the liberty to decide what becomes a headline and what appears in a footnote.

However, this district is already under decay. Indeed, it survives only on its glorious history of Nawabs. On the other hand, the district has been facing communal issues.

Hence, will the construction of this massive mosque and its extensive promotion not provoke unrest? Bengal has, after all, witnessed many communal riots. A burnt child dreads the fire, in particular.  On the whole, we want a harmonious and peaceful coexistence of Hindu and Muslims