Airport privatization process: Bidders returned fearing employees protest
Mangaluru, Jan 15: Representatives of three companies who have arrived at the Mangaluru airport for spot verification on Monday as part of the Mangaluru International Airport privatization process, have returned without evaluating the airport due to protest from airport employees.
In view of the privatization of Mangaluru International Airport proposal of the central government, representatives of Indus, GMR and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Companies visited the airport.
After getting information about this, more than 60 airport employees resorted to protest due to which the teams of those companies have returned without conducting evaluating process.
As part of privatizing process of six airports in the country including Mangaluru international airport, the companies have participated in the bidding process. The bidders could evaluate the respective airports In the beginning. So, the representatives of these three companies have visited the airport on Monday at 10 am.
But the airport employees staged the protest with a slogan “go back private parties, go back”. This protest has forced the private companies to go back.
The central government has decided to privatise Guwahati, Lucknow, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Jaipur airports. But the All India Airport Employees Association has strongly opposed the central government’s decision to privatise the profit-making airports in the country which have all basic infrastructures.
Speaking to Varthabharathi, Mangaluru Airport Employees Association president Aravind said that “We do not have any objection about the private companies building new airports and providing basic infrastructure.
But these airports were built with the public money worth lakhs of crores and provided all basic infrastructure and making good profits and we are opposing the stand of the centre govt to privatise the profit-making public sector airports.
The decision is not good for both the public and employees. Mangaluru airport has got good response from the foreign travelers also. If the commercial activities are encouraged after privatization, it would affect the flight users as well as the employees. Condemning this, we have been protesting the central government’s decision”, he said.
“We have already submitted memorandums to the all concerned persons including the Chief Minister and all ministers against privatization process. When Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu visited the city, our delegation has met him and apprised him against the central government’s decision. We will continue our fight as per the direction of the national and state associations of the airport employees”, he clarified.
Secretary Shravan Kumar, Organizing secretary Sunil Kumar, Treasurer Shakeel and others participated in the protest.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
