Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir has now turned the act of spreading hatred into an open political weapon. He has once again proved that in West Bengal, inciting religious tension is no longer an “allegation”—it has become the public politics of a ruling-party legislator. On 6 December, amid the controversy surrounding the foundation-laying of a Babri Masjid in Beldanga, Murshidabad, Humayun made explosive claims to several media outlets. He said: “Right now the Muslim population is 36 percent. Once the Babri Masjid is completed, it will rise to 40 percent. If anyone tries to stop this mosque, I will sacrifice 500 people if necessary, and become a martyr myself!”

The fact that such terrifying, blood-boiling remarks can come from an elected public representative is, needless to say, a new low in West Bengal’s political degradation.

In a tone of outright intimidation, Humayun said, “If someone steps on someone’s foot and picks a fight in Murshidabad, so be it. Apparently I alone am responsible for maintaining peace here. Let there be a fight! A fight divided India and Pakistan between Nehru and Jinnah. Let there be another fight in........

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