Entry into the 136-year-old Bankara Masjid (Gauripur Jama Masjid), located in the operational area of Kolkata Airport, has been stopped indefinitely. It is being told that the mosque will be removed from there. The politics of the state has heated up regarding this issue. The Muslim community has expressed displeasure over this decision. Meanwhile, the statement of Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya has come to light. He has said that even if there had been a temple instead of a mosque, it would have been removed.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, while talking to the media, said that even if there was no mosque there, even if there was a temple of Hanuman ji, it would have been removed. He said that BJP wants to come out of the politics of temple and mosque and talk. Along with this, he also said that there is no Babar government in India and Bengal.
#WATCH | On the Bankra mosque at Kolkata airport, West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya says, “Even if it was a Hanuman temple, it would have been removed from there.” pic.twitter.com/76c39E8ZU5
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2026
‘There is no shortage of space to offer Namaz’
On this issue, BJP MLA Saurav Sikdar said that there is no dearth of places to offer Namaz. There is a big madrasa on the road, there is a mosque inside it, there is also Gauripur Masjid where one can offer Namaz. Namaz can be offered in one’s own home also.
Dum Dum, West Bengal: On the 136-year-old Bankra Mosque located in Kolkata Airport premises,
BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar says, “There is no shortage of places to offer Namaz. There is a huge Madrasa on the road, there is a mosque inside it, there is Gauripur mosque. You can offer pic.twitter.com/TgfGsldZLe
— IANS (@ians_india) July 16, 2026
‘Strict action will be taken against those who break the law’
He said that what is the reason that it is necessary to offer Namaz in the mosque built in the middle of the runway, in the high security zone, what is its purpose, it is necessary to investigate. Along with this, he also said that peace loving Muslims are being instigated to take to the streets and protest. He warned that strict action will be taken against those who break the law.
‘We will take the legal route…’
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader and Bankra Masjid President Siddiqullah Chaudhary expressed his displeasure over the stopping of prayers in Bankra Masjid and said that five days have passed and there has been no protest. People were unnecessarily instigated and gathered. He said that for the upcoming Friday prayers, he appeals to the Muslim brothers and sisters of West Bengal to come peacefully, offer prayers, pray to Allah and return peacefully. He said there will be no opposition. There will be no campaigning or forceful gathering of people. He said that do not spread wrong information. He said that we will adopt the legal path and will not do any illegal work.
‘We will protest by tying a black band’
He said that those who go to offer Namaz will wear black bands on their hands as a sign of protest, which will be a symbol of their protest. He said that we are sad that the mosque which has been running for 136 years has been closed. He said that in Bankra we do not have any place to offer namaz and we have to offer namaz 5 times. He said that we pray that the right path opens.
Ban on entry into Bankara Masjid
In fact, entry into the 136-year-old Bankra Masjid, also known as Gauripur Jama Masjid, located in the operational area of Kolkata Airport, has been stopped indefinitely. Airport officials say that allowing entry only on the basis of Aadhaar card is not considered right from the security point of view. Officials said that due to security concerns raised by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), permission cannot be given to offer namaz in the mosque.
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