136-Year-Old Mosque Denied Access at Kolkata Airport
Collected Photo
Kolkata airport authorities have indefinitely suspended entry to the historic, 136-year-old Bankra mosque, located within the airport’s operational zone.
Officials cited security risks regarding the practice of allowing worshippers access based solely on Aadhaar cards.
The suspension began on Saturday, when authorities initially stated that the approach road to the Gouripur Jame Masjid required two days of urgent repairs due to rain damage. They had promised to allow devotees back for prayers by Monday if the work finished on time.
However, despite finishing the work, the gates remain closed. A senior Kolkata airport official explained, “The repair is complete but permission to offer namaz at the mosque cannot be granted at present because of security concerns raised by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).”
Previously, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) allowed around 70 devotees to enter through Gate 8 daily in staggered time slots upon presenting their Aadhaar cards.
On Sunday, CISF personnel informed worshippers they lacked further instructions from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to reopen the entrance.
Regular worshipper Abul Kalam questioned the shifting explanations from authorities. He said, “I went there at 12:20 pm on Sunday to find out when we could resume prayers and was told that runway repairs were underway and that entry would remain restricted until further orders.
“Similar runway repairs have been carried out earlier, but prayers were never stopped. Why aren’t the authorities clearly explaining the issue and indicating how long the closure will continue?”
BCAS recently challenged the Aadhaar-based entry system in a letter to airport management. Officials are now weighing whether to introduce a new pass system or permanently ban public access to the site.
In response, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, former minister and president of the West Bengal unit of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, wrote to the airport director seeking an official timeline. Community members also met Sunday evening to discuss their response.
Political tension surrounds the site as well. Local BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar alleged the mosque has blocked a planned extension of the secondary runway and claimed the committee refused offers for an alternative location.
Supporting the stance, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar remarked on Sunday, “Earlier, no govt took any action because of appeasement politics. Our govt does not believe in it. What is the big issue if the mosque is shifted?”
Source: Times of India (adapted)
