Bengaluru Airport Prayer Video Sparks Row - BJP Slams Siddaramaiah Over 'Security Blind Spot'

In a bustling international hub that's seen its share of hurried travelers and last-minute flights, a simple act of faith has turned into a full-blown political storm. A video circulating online shows a group of men offering namaz right in the heart of Terminal 2 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. While the scene itself is one of quiet devotion—with security staff standing watch nearby—it's ignited fierce debate over rules, permissions, and what really counts as a 'restricted' space in one of India's busiest travel gateways.

The clip, which went viral late last week, captures the men in prayer amid the terminal's open area, a spot usually reserved for check-ins and coffee runs rather than religious observances. No chaos, no disruption—just a moment of worship that has opposition leaders crying foul. Enter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Karnataka's main opposition, who has wasted no time in pointing fingers at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and IT Minister Priyank Kharge. They argue this isn't just about faith; it's a glaring lapse in protocol at a high-security zone buzzing with flights to destinations worldwide.

BJP spokesperson Vijay Prasad didn't hold back in a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday night. "How is this even allowed inside the T2 Terminal of Bengaluru International Airport?" he fired off, tagging the top leaders directly. "Hon'ble Chief Minister @siddaramaiah
and Minister @PriyankKharge, do you approve of this? Did these individuals obtain prior permission to offer Namaz in a high-security airport zone?"

Prasad didn't stop there. He drew a sharp contrast to the state government's recent guidelines, which the BJP claims are designed to clamp down on activities like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) traditional route marches—known as Patha Sanchalana—even when they've got the green light from authorities. "Why is it that the government objects when the RSS conducts Patha Sanchalana after obtaining due permission, but turns a blind eye to such activities in a restricted public area?" he asked, underscoring what he sees as selective enforcement. And the big question hanging in the air? Does this raise real security red flags in a place where vigilance is everything?

As of now, neither Siddaramaiah's office nor Kharge has issued a formal response, leaving the controversy to simmer amid the airport's non-stop rhythm. Airport officials, tight-lipped as always, haven't commented on whether the group had sought or received any special nod for the prayer. In a city like Bengaluru—tech-savvy, diverse, and always on the move—incidents like this remind us how quickly cultural practices can collide with public policy, especially in sensitive spots like airports.

This isn't the first time faith and facilities have clashed in Karnataka's political arena, but with elections not too far on the horizon, expect the rhetoric to ramp up. For travelers and locals alike, it's a stark nudge: In spaces meant for safe passage, where do personal beliefs end and security lines begin?