Digital table: The Chief Minister’s recent statement has become a topic of discussion across the country. The Chief Minister supported the decision to stop prayers at the 136-year-old mosque. There are many Islamic groups and organizations in the country.
The incident took place in Kolkata. The mosque, located on the premises of Kolkata International Airport, is temporarily closed to public access and mass prayers. West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari supported the decision amid controversy. He said that no compromises on national security issues are acceptable.
The Chief Minister said that the geographical location of the airport is very important. Entrances to high-security premises such as the airport cannot be opened to outsiders as the immediate area is connected to the China-Bangladesh border. According to him, the measures taken to ensure security are acceptable.
Meanwhile, Adhikari rejected the opposition’s allegations and said the government had never stopped anyone from practicing religion. He cited the example of Bakrid, saying that Eid was celebrated peacefully by slaughtering animals according to the law. Similarly, the entire ceremony took place peacefully during Muharram.
Mosque committee chairman and former minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury protested against the ban. The mosque is located very close to the second runway of the airport complex. Chowdhury noted that prayers should not have been banned while the airport authorities and the government were negotiating the location of the prayers. The chairman of the mosque committee expressed dissatisfaction with the local administration’s decision to deny the pass without prior notice.