In an exclusive conversation with TNIE, Shams highlighted his community's commitment to national unity. "The Pasmanda community advocates for promoting peace, goodwill, and social harmony in the country," Shams stated. "They will not support any step that creates confusion or tension within society."

He concluded with a call for moderation: "To move the nation forward, it is essential to adopt a balanced perspective on religious and social issues and avoid promoting any kind of provocative statements or constructions."

The controversial remarks drew immediate responses from other Muslim leaders in the state. Naem Ahmed Qureshi, State President of the Uttarakhand Muslim Sewa Sanghthan, acknowledged the right to free speech but urged a focus on development. "Everyone has the freedom to speak, and perhaps Shadab Shams too," Qureshi remarked. "Indeed, Babur reflects tiger, courage, and valour, but we live in a civilized society. Indian Muslims are solely Indians, and such issues should be avoided; instead, we should talk about the development of our new generation."

Mufti Rais Ahmed, Chief Imam of Uttarakhand, told TNIE that the judicial process regarding the Babri Mosque has concluded. "The court's decision on the Babri Mosque has already been delivered, and that issue is finished," Mufti Ahmed stated. "Babur was not a Wali (saint); he was a king, and not a benevolent one at that. Naming a mosque after him is not appropriate according to Islam under any circumstances."