Bombay High Court Denies Namaz Request for Drivers at Mumbai Airport

Court's Ruling on Prayer Space

On Thursday, the Bombay High Court declined a request from Muslim taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to perform namaz near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport during the holy month of Ramzan, stressing that security concerns take precedence.

A division bench comprising Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla reviewed a petition aimed at reinstating a temporary prayer shed near Terminal 1, which had been removed in April, or finding an alternative location nearby.

This petition was brought forth by the Taxi-Rickshaw Ola-Uber Men's Union, while the Maharashtra government opposed it, citing security risks.

The court acknowledged that airport officials had evaluated seven potential alternative sites, all of which were considered unsuitable due to security threats, especially with VVIPs using a nearby entrance.

Satish Talekar, representing one of the petitioners, argued that there had been no security incidents at the shed for three decades and claimed that authorities were intentionally obstructing Muslim drivers and passengers from praying.

However, the court dismissed this argument.

Justice Colabawalla remarked, “No one is preventing you from praying five times a day. You can simply visit a mosque to offer your prayers. But on airport grounds, where authorities cite security concerns, we cannot permit it.”

The court clarified that while Ramzan holds significant importance in Islam, praying at a specific location, such as near the airport, is not considered a religious right.

Although the bench could not provide immediate relief to the petitioners, it suggested they approach airport authorities for a designated space when Terminal 1 undergoes redevelopment in the future.