INTRODUCTION:
The Bombay High Court recently dismissed the plea by the Taxi-Rickshaw Ola-Uber Association seeking permission to offer namaz near the Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) during Ramdan, prioritizing airport security. The bench comprises of Justice BP Collabawalla and Justice FP Pooniwalla who on 4-5 March,2026 emphasized on the security reasons concerning the airport security which overrided religious accommodations in high-risk zones.
BACKGROUND:
A temporary shed that was being given to the Muslims for offering of their prayers near the terminal 1 of the airport was demolished by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in April last year. The terminal 1 is being constructed. The Association filed a plea in February 2026 to get back the place back. The shed was in existence from the past 30 years which was being used by the Muslims for their offerings of the prayer.
The Advocate representing the people of the Associations’ Shahzad Naqvi told that the demolition had created difficulties for them especially during the month of Ramadan. He also argued that the shed that existed prior was been approved by the authorities. For 30 years the authorities had no problem regarding the shed and suddenly they demolished it considering the security reasons for the airport. The association either wants the shed back that was around 1500sq ft or they want an alternative place for the worship keeping in mind the difficulties being faced during the period of Ramadan.
KEY POINTS:
- The court stated that the major concern here is the security of the airport. The security is considered paramount irrespective of the religion, refusing to compromise the high security, high footfall area with VVIP movements and proximity to a VIP entrance.
- To solve this; the authorities had even looked into the alternatives for this. They surveyed 7 sites that could be given to the Muslims for their prayers but they were in the security zones and hence the authorities did not give any alternative place.
- It was being said to go to nearby mosques for the prayers as it would be way too crowded inside the airport premises and would endanger the security of the airport. The authorities claimed that there were 3 mosques in walking distance from the airport which can be considered by the Association.
- Justice remarked that the religious belief would not become a reason interfering with the security concerns of the people.
RECENT DEVELOPMNTS:
The court had directed the authorities to look for better alternatives that can be given to the Muslims for their prayer. The court has also considered the aspect of the association as well and did not closed the petition; the court said that the association can still file for the required place after the construction of Terminal 1 is completed and if some place is left within the premises.
The court ordered them to not to recite namaz in the airport premises due to security reasons but can go for the alternatives such as nearby mosques to practice.
CONCLUSION:
It is being concluded that the security is not overlooked irrespective of the religion. The security is the prominent concern of the government. And hence no aspect will be overlooked in the matter of the security. Considering the airport that requires a high security zone it is being said to follow the security measures.
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WRITTEN BY: MEENAKSHI DANGI
