Bangladesh protesters seek death penalty for BJP MLA over Kolkata airport mosque row

A protest outside Dhaka's Baitul Mukarram mosque targeted BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar over the proposed relocation of a mosque at Kolkata airport. The demonstration carries the airport dispute across the border and intensifies the controversy.Kolkata airport mosque row crosses border, Bangladesh protesters seek BJP MLA's execution (Screen grab)A protest in Bangladesh demanding the death penalty for West Bengal BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar has added a fresh angle to the ongoing controversy over the proposed relocation of a mosque located within the premises of Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.A group of protesters gathered outside Bangladesh's national mosque, Baitul Mukarram, in Dhaka on Friday, carrying banners that described Sikdar as the "Khal Nayak" (villain) behind the move to shift the mosque from the airport premises. The demonstrators reportedly demanded that the Dum Dum North MLA be "hanged till death".Sikdar, whose Dum Dum North Assembly constituency includes the Kolkata airport, has been one of the most vocal advocates for relocating the mosque, arguing that its location poses security and operational concerns. He had earlier raised the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, citing alleged security lapses and the need for airport expansion.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Jul 17, 2026 17:01 IST