BJP questions Karnataka govt after video of namaz in Bengaluru airport goes viral

A video purporting to show a group of people offering ‘namaz’ (Islamic prayer) at Terminal-2 of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has sparked a political debate in Karnataka; The opposition BJP took exception to the incident and demanded accountability from the State Government.

In the video that went viral on social media, security personnel are seen observing the group praying nearby.

BJP Karnataka unit spokesperson Vijay Prasad asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge whether those praying in a public place had taken prior permission as provided in the final rule framed by the State Government.

“How is this allowed at T2 Terminal of Bengaluru International Airport? Hon’ble Chief Minister @siddaramaiah and Minister @PriyankKharge do you approve of this?” Prasad asked this question in a post published on X channel late on the night of November 8. “Did these people receive prior permission to pray in a high-security airport area?”

Referring to rules that the BJP claimed were created to restrict RSS activities in the state, Prasad said, “Why is the government objecting to the implementation of RSS? Patha Sanchalana “After obtaining the necessary permission from the relevant authorities (route march) but ignores such activities in the restricted public space?”

The BJP spokesperson sought to find out ‘whether this activity poses a serious security concern in such a sensitive area’.