Prayer ban at 136-year-old Bankra Mosque in Kolkata airport

Controversy erupts over the 136-year-old Bankra Mosque located in Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport premises.

The controversy surrounding the 136-year-old Bankra Mosque located within the premises of Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has intensified. The airport administration has temporarily prohibited entry and prayers at the mosque.

According to the BBC, initially, prayers were banned for three days starting Friday evening, but the restriction was not lifted even after the stipulated time had passed.

The West Bengal government has supported this decision. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the government is not interfering with anyone's religious rights, but airport security is of utmost importance.

The airport administration stated that according to international security standards, no permanent structure should be within 240 meters of the runway. The Bankra Mosque is only 165 meters away from the runway, which is why it is considered necessary to relocate it.

The administration also mentioned that the mosque falls within the airport's high-security zone, which is under the responsibility of the CISF. The CISF had previously raised objections to the presence of the mosque at this location.

The mosque committee's General Secretary, Mohammad Zamiruddin, said that discussions about relocating the mosque had been ongoing for quite some time. Airport officials had also assured them of providing a new location, but no official notice was given to the committee before restricting entry.

According to the BBC, the Kolkata Airport was established in 1924, while this mosque was built in 1890. This means the mosque has been present here for about 34 years before the airport was built. At that time, this area was part of undivided Bengal. Local villagers had collectively constructed this mosque. People from Satkhira (now in Bangladesh) and nearby villages also used to come here for prayers. Initially, this mosque was named Gauripur Jame Mosque. Later, after the airport was built, it came to be known as Bankra Airport Mosque.

Due to the mosque being inside the airport premises, special arrangements were made to reach it. From Gate No. 8 on Jessore Road, about 20 people at a time were taken to the mosque by bus under CISF supervision after thorough security checks and identity verification.

The President of West Bengal Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and former minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury stated that

this mosque was built in 1890 and has been present here before the airport was constructed. He alleged that prayers were stopped without any prior notice.

He said that for many years they have been requesting discussions with the administration. He claimed that there has never been any record of security violations or illegal activities against the mosque. He also alleged that attempts were made to contact airport officials, but no response was received.

Senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Saugata Roy also opposed this action. He said that local people have been offering prayers here for years. According to him, the administration had said that the mosque would be reopened after two days, but that did not happen.

Saugata Roy termed it a matter related to people's religious sentiments and demanded that if the mosque has to be removed, it should be relocated to another place with the consent of the local people.

On the other hand, the BJP stated that airport security and runway expansion are more important than any other issue.

BJP leader and state minister Dilip Ghosh said that

if the mosque needs to be removed for runway expansion, it will be relocated to another place. He said that such a construction is not appropriate in a sensitive area like an airport.

Former Meghalaya Governor and BJP leader Tathagata Roy also said that for security reasons, the mosque should have been relocated much earlier. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Dum Dum North, Saurabh Sikdar, said that all concerned parties should prioritize security and cooperate in the runway expansion. According to him, the mosque will be shifted to another location.