Court says namaz cannot be offered near airport premises citing safety concerns during Ramzan
The Bombay High Court on Thursday ruled that security considerations must take precedence over religious practices, refusing to grant relief to taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers seeking permission to offer namaz near the city airport during the holy month of Ramzan.
A bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla observed that while Ramzan is an important religious period for Muslims, it does not confer the right to offer namaz at any location, particularly in sensitive areas such as airport premises.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Taxi-Rickshaw Ola-Uber Men’s Union, which claimed that a temporary shed near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai—previously used by drivers to offer prayers—had been demolished by authorities last year.
The petitioners had requested permission to use the same site again or be allotted an alternative space nearby to offer namaz.
Court stresses airport security concerns
The high court repeatedly emphasised that airport security cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
“Religion or otherwise – security comes first. Everybody travels through this airport irrespective of their religion,” the bench observed while declining the request.
The judges added that such a facility close to an airport could pose safety risks and that the court could not ignore security considerations.
“We have never seen anything like this anywhere in the world. You cannot have something like this near the airport,” the bench noted.
Authorities say alternative sites unsuitable
Earlier, the court had directed the police and airport authorities to examine whether any alternative location could be allotted to the petitioners.
In a report submitted on Thursday, officials said seven possible sites were surveyed, but none were found suitable due to congestion, security concerns and ongoing airport development plans.
After reviewing the report, the court concluded that no relief could be granted in the matter.
Madrassa available nearby
The bench also noted that a madrassa located within one kilometre of the airport area could be used by the petitioners for offering prayers.
Reiterating its stand, the court said that allowing a designated prayer structure near the airport was not possible because security considerations must remain the top priority.
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