West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday defended the state government's decision to suspend entry passes for congregational prayers at a mosque within the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport complex, asserting that national security must take precedence over all other considerations. Addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Bankra Mosque, Adhikari said the security requirements of an airport with strategic significance could not be compromised.
"National security and the security of the airport will take priority over everything else. As Chief Minister, I will not comment further. The location of Kolkata International Airport is critical since both China and Bangladesh are close by. Its gates cannot remain open to outsiders," he said.
The Chief Minister also rejected allegations that the government was interfering with religious freedom, maintaining that people remained free to practise their faith so long as they complied with the law. "We have not stopped anyone from practising their religion, unlike what they (the Opposition) said about us. Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) was observed in accordance with animal slaughter laws, Muharram was observed without brandishing weapons, and there was no problem. Obey the law and act as good citizens. Practise your religion as a personal matter without trying to influence others. Then everything will run smoothly," he added.
The remarks come amid a political row over the future of the Bankra Mosque, also known as the Gouripur Jama Masjid, which is situated within the airport premises. On Saturday, the state government announced that the mosque would be relocated, citing security concerns. Airport authorities also suspended the issuance of entry passes for worshippers for three days, stating that the temporary restriction was necessary to facilitate renovation work at the site.
The mosque, believed to be over 130 years old and predating the airport itself, stands approximately 165 metres from the airport's secondary runway. According to aviation authorities, the mosque's proximity to the runway has affected airport operations by limiting runway expansion and delaying the installation of advanced Instrument Landing System (ILS) infrastructure.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar welcomed the proposed relocation, arguing that the move would improve both airport security and future expansion plans. "Ever since I was a student, I used to read in newspapers that because of a mosque at Kolkata airport, the runway could not be expanded. No previous government interfered due to appeasement politics. Now that our government is in power, we don't believe in appeasement politics. The mosque will be relocated," Majumdar told reporters on Sunday.
However, Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy urged the government to proceed only after consulting the local Muslim community. "Something must be done about the mosque with the consent of the Muslim community there," Roy said.
The issue has triggered a broader political debate over balancing infrastructure development and security requirements with the preservation of religious sites, as discussions continue over the future of the historic mosque within the airport complex.
