TMC and BJP Clash Over Relocation of Historic Bankra Mosque

TMC MP Sougata Roy has demanded that any movement of the Bankra Mosque must be predicated on the consent of the local Muslim population. He explicitly challenged Suvendu Adhikari’s framing of the issue, arguing that the relocation is driven by runway expansion goals rather than genuine passenger safety. Roy warned that proceeding without local consensus risks triggering significant civil unrest.

In contrast, the BJP maintains that the structure serves as a dangerous obstacle to aviation operations. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar characterized the delay in addressing the site as a byproduct of historical appeasement politics, insisting that safety enhancements must take priority. BJP leader Keya Ghosh added that the site has already ceased functioning as a place of worship, positioning the relocation as a necessary administrative step to secure the airport perimeter.