Haj Pilgrims Offer Prayers At Bengaluru Airport, Spark Debate

BENGALUR: A group of pilgrims/passengers heading for Hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, led prayers before departing from Terminal-2 of Kempegowda International Airport near Bengaluru on Sunday evening. The group of pilgrims prayed in front of the public before setting off towards Mecca, claiming that they were not aware of a separate room in the Terminal where they could pray.

The prayer performed by the group was filmed by a person at the Airport and the video clip was distributed in public, sparking public controversy and the State Government coming under fire for a group praying in public at the Airport. One of the videos circulating among the prayer group was 22 seconds long, with passengers standing as silent spectators.

The group, which set out for the pilgrimage, prayed at Kempegowda International Airport Terminal-2 around 18:00. Sources speaking to Deccan Chronicle stated that pilgrims arrived at the International Airport on Monday to go to Mecca and the pilgrims, who were unaware that a separate room was provided for those who wanted to pray, decided to pray at Airport Terminal-2, drawing the attention of passengers at the airport.

The source stated that the pilgrims were informed of this action and were released by the relevant authorities, adding: “Their punishment did not constitute a crime.”

The pilgrim group told the authorities that they were unaware that a separate room was available for them to pray and that no further details were available about their identities and whether the pilgrim group belonged to Bengaluru/Karnataka. The group of pilgrims continued their journey towards Mecca after the airport authorities allowed them to board the designated plane.

Joining the public debate on pilgrims offering prayers at the airport, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned the State Government on the issue. Minister of Internal Affairs Dr. When pointed out about prayers at KIA’s Terminal-2, G. Parameshwar told reporters in Bengaluru on Monday: “I will look into it (with the authorities concerned).”