The intersection of religion and politics in Bengal has sparked a fresh controversy after Humayun Kabir, the MLA from Bharatpur and a former Trinamool Congress leader, launched a fierce attack against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a rally in Harishchandrapur, Malda, on Thursday night.

Kabir accused the Chief Minister of undermining the religious sentiments of minorities by distributing ‘Prasad’ from the newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha through government channels. He claimed, “For Muslims, consuming Prasad from a temple is ‘Haram’. Mamata Banerjee is strategically trying to weaken the faith of Muslims.” He further argued against using public funds for religious constructions, stating it violates secular principles.

The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Local TMC leader Matibur Rahman accused Kabir of inciting communal divide, claiming it only benefits the BJP. Conversely, BJP leader Kishan Kedia hit back, blaming the Chief Minister’s appeasement politics for the rise of such divisive rhetoric. Leaders from Congress and CPI(M) also condemned the statement, emphasizing that Malda has always been a district of communal harmony and that such inflammatory speech will be rejected by the public.