Bombay HC denies Muslim drivers' plea for namaz space near Mumbai airport over security fears
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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected a plea by Muslim taxi and auto drivers to offer namaz near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport during Ramzan, prioritizing "security paramount" concerns.
A bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla heard the Taxi-Rickshaw Ola-Uber Men's Union petition seeking restoration of a demolished shed near Terminal 1 or an alternative spot. The Maharashtra government opposed it, citing threats near VVIP gates; airport authorities rejected seven surveyed sites as unsuitable.
Petitioner counsel Satish Talekar argued no security issues arose in 30 years at the shed, accusing deliberate denial. The court disagreed: "No one is stopping you from praying five times a day," Justice Colabawalla said. "You can just walk in some Masjid and offer Namaz there... No one is going to stop you there... But here at airport premises when the authorities are saying that there are threat issues and security issues, we cannot allow you here."
The bench clarified Ramzan prayers at specific spots like the airport aren't a religious right. It suggested approaching authorities for space post-Terminal 1 redevelopment but granted no immediate relief.