Security Curbs Halt Friday Prayers at Historic Mosque

A planned Friday congregation at the nearly 136-year-old Bankra Mosque, situated beside the boundary wall of Kolkata’s Dum Dum Airport in the Indian state of West Bengal, could not take place after authorities imposed stringent security measures and enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the surrounding area.

From early Friday morning, the vicinity of Airport Gate No. 7 witnessed a heavy deployment of West Bengal Police, central security personnel, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other law enforcement agencies. Water cannons were also kept on standby as a precaution. Security forces sealed off access to the area, preventing gatherings and ensuring that the mosque committee’s previously announced programme did not go ahead.

The mosque’s management committee had earlier declared that Friday prayers would resume at the historic mosque, accompanied by a peaceful prayer gathering and symbolic protest. The announcement was made on Thursday by Siddiqullah Chowdhury, president of the mosque committee, former West Bengal minister and state president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

However, after arriving near Airport Gate No. 7 on Friday and holding discussions with senior administrative officials, Chowdhury informed supporters that proceeding with the planned programme was not possible under the prevailing circumstances. According to eyewitnesses, he later joined supporters at a nearby mosque where they performed Friday prayers instead.

While no major public gathering took place at the disputed site, small groups of worshippers in different parts of Kolkata were seen wearing black cloth bands around their arms as a silent mark of protest. Local sources reported that the day remained peaceful, with no incidents of violence or large-scale confrontation despite the heightened tension.

The dispute centres on access to the Bankra Mosque, which mosque authorities say has been effectively closed to worshippers for several days. According to the committee, entry to the mosque has been blocked since 11 July, allegedly as part of arrangements linked to airport expansion or related security planning.

During a press conference held on Thursday, committee members claimed that personnel stationed in the area had verbally informed them that prayers would no longer be permitted at the mosque adjoining the airport premises. They also stated that no written order, official notification or formal government directive had been provided to justify the restriction.

The committee maintains that the absence of a written explanation has fuelled uncertainty among local residents and regular worshippers, many of whom have attended prayers at the mosque for decades. It argues that religious activities have been halted without transparent communication regarding the legal or administrative basis for the decision.

Established in 1890, the Bankra Mosque is regarded by its custodians as one of the area’s longstanding religious landmarks. According to the committee, generations of worshippers from neighbouring districts regularly offered prayers there, and historically the mosque also attracted visitors from regions that now form present-day Bangladesh during the era of undivided India. Committee members contend that this longstanding religious tradition has been interrupted without adequate consultation.

The administration, meanwhile, enforced Section 163 of the BNSS to maintain public order. The provision is broadly comparable to the former Section 144 of India’s Code of Criminal Procedure, empowering authorities to restrict public assemblies and activities that could potentially disturb law and order within a specified area. Officials implemented the measure around the airport precinct amid concerns that the announced gathering might trigger security or public order challenges.

The mosque committee has reiterated two principal demands: the immediate restoration of regular congregational prayers at Bankra Mosque and the reopening of the traditional access route through Airport Gate No. 7. Although Friday’s planned gathering could not proceed because of the security restrictions, committee representatives said they hoped the matter would ultimately be resolved through dialogue with the authorities.

By the end of the day, security personnel remained on alert across the North 24 Parganas locality. Although no significant clashes or violence were reported, the atmosphere remained tense as officials continued monitoring developments. Mosque authorities expressed hope that discussions with the administration would lead to a mutually acceptable solution, allowing normal religious activities to resume at the historic mosque while addressing any legitimate security concerns.