Bangladesh protesters seek death penalty for BJP MLA over Kolkata airport mosque row
A protest in Bangladesh demanding the death penalty for West Bengal BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing controversy over
A protest in Bangladesh demanding the death penalty for West Bengal BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing controversy over the proposed relocation of a mosque located within the premises of Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. A group of protesters gathered outside Bangladesh's national mosque, Baitul Mukarram, in Dhaka on Friday, carrying banners that described Sikdar as the "Khal Nayak" (villain) behind the move to shift the mosque from the airport premises. The demonstrators reportedly demanded that the Dum Dum North MLA be "hanged till death". Read Full Story Sikdar, whose Dum Dum North Assembly constituency includes the Kolkata airport, has been one of the most vocal advocates for relocating the mosque, arguing that its location poses security and operational concerns. He had earlier raised the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, citing alleged security lapses and the need for airport expansion.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Visuals from the Bankra Masjid, located within Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport, in Kolkata. Access to the mosque located has been stopped citing security concerns. pic.twitter.com/W735bWxSUH— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2026 Reacting to the protest, Sikdar said he had received videos of the demonstration from journalist friends and claimed that the protest was aimed at intimidating him. "I have been told, and some journalist friends sent me videos of a protest demanding my death sentence. If people are unable to carry out such activities in India, they try to do it in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is our friendly country, and I request its government not to allow such activities because this is an issue concerning the Government of India," he said. The BJP legislator reiterated that the mosque stands on land belonging to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and said the Centre had already taken a decision regarding the matter.
He also pointed out that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been imposed locally, restricting public gatherings around the issue. Sikdar alleged that the protest in Bangladesh suggested "desperation" among those opposing the relocation and called for an investigation into what he described as the forces behind the demonstration. Defending his stand, the MLA maintained that relocating the mosque was essential for both airport expansion and passenger safety. He claimed the structure is located in a high-security Level-3 zone through which flights carrying the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and other VIPs operate. He further alleged that technical experts and pilots had expressed concerns about the mosque's location, claiming it could pose operational challenges during aircraft landings under adverse weather conditions. Sikdar also questioned the legality of the land on which the mosque stands, alleging that it lacks valid documentation. The BJP MLA also targeted state minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury, accusing him of having a "personal agenda" in opposing the relocation.
The BriefWire