Namaz at Bengaluru airport: BJP takes exception, asks Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge if they approved it

Bengaluru: The Opposition BJP on Monday slammed the Congress government for “Muslim appeasement” after a group was seen offering Namaz at Terminal 2 of the Kempegowda International Airport.

The BJP asked the government to clarify if permission was granted for Namaz at the airport, juxtaposing this with the Congress’ insistence that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) should seek
clearance for its activities in public places.

“How is this even allowed inside the T2? Did these individuals obtain prior permission to offer Namaz in a high-security airport zone?” BJP spokesperon Vijay Prasad asked in a tweet, tagging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge. 

“Why is it that the government objects when the RSS conducts Patha Sanchalana after obtaining due permission from the concerned authorities, but turns a blind eye to such activities in a restricted public area? Does this not pose a serious security concern in such a sensitive zone?” Prasad said. 

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka called it a “Siddaramaiah-sponsored” incident.

“This government is doing Muslim appeasement. There’s simply no regulation,” he said. Reacting to this, Priyank said the airport should enforce rules governing prayers. 

“All international airports have prayer rooms. At Delhi and Gujarat airports, Garba (dance) was performed. An airport, whether privately-run or state-owned, has rules for prayers. Airport authorities should enforce them,” Priyank said. 

Priyank also questioned the BJP on why it opposed the government’s order mandating prior permission for activities in public places.

“When we said nobody should hold activities in public places, why did BJP oppose it? Our order would have covered everyone. When we said that the public shouldn’t be inconvenienced, why did RSS move court and obtain a stay?” he said.