Kolkata: In what marks a sharp escalation of the temple-mosque political contest in West Bengal, plans for an Ayodhya-style Ram temple complex have been proposed in Salt Lake, adding a new dimension to the state’s increasingly polarised political landscape ahead of the assembly elections. Posters announcing the temple surfaced across prominent areas of the metropolis, including City Centre, Karunamoyee, and other key pockets of Bidhannagar on Thursday.

The posters, attributed to local BJP leader and former unit president Sanjay Poyra, promise the construction of a Ram temple “similar to the Ayodhya structure” on a four-bigha plot. Beyond religious purposes, the proposed complex is slated to include a school, hospital, old-age home, and other welfare initiatives. The campaign encourages residents to contribute Re 1 each toward the project, a symbolic appeal to public participation in the initiative.

This development comes only days after suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid-styled mosque in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, on December 6—the anniversary of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition—amid unprecedented security arrangements. On the same day, BJP leaders held a parallel ceremony in Banjatiya’s Manindra Nagar, also in Murshidabad, to initiate groundwork for a Ram temple. These simultaneous events have intensified the ongoing political contest in the state, with both parties using religious symbolism to assert influence and mobilize support.

With Salt Lake—a planned township and the administrative heart of West Bengal—entering the arena, the political tug-of-war has gained unmistakable symbolic significance. Speaking to reporters, Poyra described the initiative as a social-spiritual movement rooted in the principles of ‘Ram Rajya.’ “Ram’s kingdom must have Ram’s temple. A Ram temple will come up in Bidhannagar—just like the one in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh,” he said, highlighting the ideological resonance of the project.

While he confirmed that land for the temple has been identified, Poyra refrained from revealing the location, citing concerns that premature disclosure could invite obstacles. He added that many individuals had offered to donate land, supply construction materials, or provide idols for the temple. “We have identified land, but I will not disclose the location now. Many people have offered to donate land, materials, and even idols,” he said.

The bhumi pujan and foundation stone-laying ceremony is planned for March 26, coinciding with Ram Navami. Poyra invited followers and devotees to participate in the event at 10 am, promising that Hindu Sanatanis from across social and economic backgrounds would be part of the ceremony. Contributions of Re 1 toward the temple, he noted, would be received with joy.

The proposed complex is intended to be more than a religious shrine, according to Poyra. He said it would serve as a center of service, offering healthcare for the poor, education facilities for children and women, an old-age home, and empowerment programs for women. “Along with the Ram temple, there will be healthcare for the sick, a school for children, an old-age home, and programs for empowerment of women. This will not just be a temple, it will be a center of service,” he said, outlining the integration of social welfare with religious devotion.

As of now, Bidhannagar civic authorities have not commented on the posters or indicated whether any formal application has been submitted for such a construction project. Given that Salt Lake is a planned township with regulated land-use norms, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond to the initiative.

Political analysts note that the sequence of recent events—the announcement of a Babri-style mosque on December 6, the BJP’s parallel Ram temple initiative in Murshidabad, and now the Salt Lake Ayodhya-inspired temple proposal—reflects how religious imagery is being used by both sides to energize and mobilize politically polarized constituencies. “Both sides are weaponizing religious symbolism to energize constituencies ahead of elections,” said a senior political analyst, underscoring the strategic dimension of these developments.

With assembly elections only months away, West Bengal appears poised for a highly charged political season where temples and mosques are not merely sites of worship but have become arenas of symbolic and ideological contestation. The emphasis on replicating Ayodhya-style religious structures suggests a deliberate strategy to draw on historical narratives and emotive religious imagery to influence public sentiment.

Observers caution that the emerging narrative could further polarize communities, as religious sites are increasingly linked with political agendas. The BJP’s proposed Ram temple in Salt Lake signals an effort to consolidate Hindu support in a region where symbolic assertions of faith have previously shaped electoral outcomes. Meanwhile, the TMC’s mosque initiative demonstrates a reciprocal strategy, reflecting the growing intertwining of religion and politics in West Bengal.

As political parties gear up for the polls, the developments in Salt Lake and Murshidabad highlight the intensity of the upcoming election battle. Religious symbolism, temple-mosque politics, and social welfare promises are likely to dominate discourse, potentially influencing voting behavior and shaping the state’s electoral landscape.

The unfolding scenario underscores the continued importance of strategic symbolism in Indian politics, where religious imagery and historical narratives are mobilized to appeal to communities, consolidate voter bases, and assert ideological dominance. How civic authorities respond to the Salt Lake temple proposal and how political parties leverage these developments will be closely watched in the coming months as West Bengal heads toward a pivotal assembly election.