False Claim: Viral Video Purports to Show Mosque Demolition Near Kolkata Airport
Social media platforms have been flooded with a misleading video claiming that a historic mosque near Kolkata’s airport was destroyed by “Hindu extremists” following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) recent electoral win in West Bengal. However, investigations have confirmed that the footage is entirely unrelated to events in India.
The viral video, which began circulating on September 22, 2026, depicts individuals using sledgehammers to dismantle a blue wall. The accompanying captions assert that the 136-year-old Gauri Jama Masjid, located near the Kolkata airport, was razed to make way for a temple dedicated to the deity Rama. These posts have sparked significant alarm and anger, with some users calling for immediate police intervention and others using the footage to fuel divisive rhetoric regarding the legality of mosques in India.
Context of the Airport Mosque Controversy
The confusion surrounding the video stems from a real-world policy debate. Following the BJP’s electoral victory in May 2026, the state government revived long-standing efforts to relocate the Gauri Jama Masjid, also known as the Bankra mosque. Situated approximately 165 meters north of the airport’s secondary runway, the structure has been the subject of contention for over thirty years.
Aviation and government officials have consistently maintained that the mosque’s proximity to the runway creates safety hazards and logistical constraints for flight operations. While previous administrations failed to resolve the matter, the current state government has signaled a renewed intent to shift the site, leading to heightened public interest and tension. In July 2026, prayers at the mosque were suspended by authorities citing security concerns.
Fact-Check: Origin of the Viral Footage
Despite the claims linking the video to the Kolkata airport, digital forensic evidence proves the incident occurred in Bangladesh, not India. A reverse image search of the footage’s keyframes reveals that the video was originally uploaded by a Bangladeshi media outlet on September 19, 2026.
The authentic footage shows an angry mob in the Pabna district of Bangladesh vandalizing the home of a man accused of involvement in the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl. Md Tariqul Islam, the officer-in-charge of the local police station in the area, confirmed that the violent scenes captured in the video were a direct response to the heinous crimes committed by the homeowners, who were subsequently detained.
Further verification shows that the structure in the viral video bears no architectural resemblance to the Gauri Jama Masjid. Official imagery of the mosque, recorded by news agencies such as ANI, confirms that the site remains standing as the relocation negotiations continue.
This is not the first time that footage from Bangladesh has been misrepresented to incite communal tension in India. As misinformation continues to spread, authorities are urging the public to verify the origins of sensitive content before sharing it, noting that such fabricated videos are often designed to exploit existing political and social grievances.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
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