Kolkata Airport Shuts Access to 136-Year-Old Mosque Over Security Concerns

Authorities at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport have suspended prayers at the 136-year-old Bankra Airport Mosque, citing aviation safety and security requirements.

Although prayers were held at the mosque until last Friday, the airport authority closed the main entrance on Saturday. The gate, accessed through Airport Gate No. 8, is the only entry point to the mosque.

Mohammad Jamiruddin, general secretary of the mosque's management committee, told local media that no prior notice had been issued before the closure. He said discussions had been ongoing for some time regarding the mosque's relocation, during which airport authorities had reportedly assured them of a larger alternative site.

In a recent statement, the airport authority said international aviation safety regulations require any structure to be at least 240 metres away from a runway. The mosque, however, is located only 165 metres from the runway and lies within the airport's restricted security zone, making its relocation necessary.

The statement added that the area falls under the security jurisdiction of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which had previously raised concerns about the structure.

Historical records indicate that the mosque was established in 1890 as Gauripur Jame Mosque, around 34 years before Kolkata's international airport was built in 1924. It was later renamed Bankra Airport Mosque.

According to local historians, worshippers once travelled from different parts of undivided Bengal, including what is now Bangladesh's Satkhira district, to offer prayers at the mosque. It continues to serve Muslims from large parts of North 24 Parganas district.

Reacting to the development, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, president of the West Bengal unit of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, urged people to remain calm and avoid protests. While describing the closure as unfortunate, he called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and urged airport authorities to ensure worshippers are able to continue offering prayers. He also said the mosque's entrance should not have been sealed without consultation.

Chowdhury further called for discussions involving Darul Uloom Deoband, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and other Muslim organisations to resolve the issue.