The discussions regarding the removal or relocation of the mosque situated deep within the operational area of Kolkata airport have been postponed until after Eid-uz-Zuha. This issue was prominently featured at the Airport Security Committee meeting on Friday, two days after the state administration and the mosque authorities convened at the North 24 Parganas District Magistrate's office to deliberate on the matter. A team had visited the mosque a day earlier.
Safety and Security Challenges
An official confirmed that the safety and security challenges associated with the Gouripur Jame Masjid, also known as the Bankra mosque, were discussed in detail. While the mosque has been on the agenda at previous meetings, it has gained renewed significance following the formation of the BJP government in the state. With the state now aligned with the Centre, there is a renewed push for the relocation of the mosque.
Government and Airport Authority Positions
Sources indicated that the civil aviation ministry and the state government pushed for an immediate relocation of the mosque. However, the airport authorities vetoed this, suggesting that the relocation should occur after Eid-uz-Zuha. The airport authorities have reportedly informed the state administration that while they can secure the airport's operational area and provide access to the mosque, they cannot participate in demolishing the structure, even if central and state forces are provided.
Stakeholder Reactions
Siddiqullah Chowdhury, who is also the president of the West Bengal branch of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, one of the stakeholders of the 136-year-old mosque, stated that the matter will be discussed with the chief minister and senior government officials before any demolition takes place. He added that nothing will happen until Eid. "Currently we are focused on a smooth and peaceful Eid. The discussions are of paramount importance, and we need to speak to the state government before coming to any conclusion. All the talks have been withheld until Bakrid is over. We will have more discussions with the state government as well as with airport officials next week post Eid," said Chowdhury.
Although members of the mosque committee have informed the authorities that they cannot decide on the mosque's relocation, they have refrained from speaking against the proposal. "We do not want the airport to suffer. Airport officials had offered to build us a bigger mosque outside the airport. But we are not in a position to decide," said mosque committee member Abul Kalam.
Historical Context
While the mosque predates the airport, its proximity to the secondary runway poses a safety challenge that has been raised repeatedly for over 30 years. In 1995, then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu marked ‘Not Approved' with green ink on the file proposal for relocation of the mosque outside the airport. In 2002, Shahnawaz Hussain, then Union civil aviation minister in the Atal Behari Vajpayee cabinet, attempted to convince then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya about the need to relocate it. The two had even developed an alternative proposal to develop another runway by diverting a road in Kaikhali, but that did not materialize.
