By Team Clarion
MUMBAI — The ongoing drive to remove loudspeakers from mosques across the city has escalated into a serious political and social issue, with opposition leaders accusing the Maharashtra government of following a Hindutva-driven agenda targeting the Muslim community. The police have intensified actions to remove loudspeakers forcibly, sparking widespread concern among Muslim communities and their leaders.
According to opposition leaders, despite adherence to the Supreme Court’s clear guidelines on permissible sound levels, the government remains unyielding, showing no willingness to accommodate the concerns of Muslim citizens. In response, opposition parties are preparing a legal challenge against the Director General of Police’s (DGP) recent orders, which they argue go beyond the court’s directives.
Reports from various localities indicate that mosque trustees are being summoned to police stations and served notices demanding the removal of loudspeakers or a cut in their volume. Opposition leaders acknowledge that police have been strict in implementing these actions, but they also highlight that many trustees refuse to comply, choosing instead to operate loudspeakers within the sound limits prescribed by the Supreme Court.
Former State Minister and Congress Vice President Muhammad Arif Naseem Khan stated, “It is true that the efforts made so far do not seem to be successful. The reason for this is that the state government is working according to its specific agenda and is following an anti-Muslim policy.” He further explained that despite meetings with officials, including the police commissioner, the situation remains unchanged. “Therefore, at a meeting a few days ago, it was unanimously agreed that as per the Supreme Court’s instructions, loudspeakers should be kept on during prescribed times and at prescribed decibel levels. The DGP’s order, which disregards these rules, will be challenged in court.”
Khan emphasised the legal angle of the opposition’s strategy. “A team of expert lawyers, led by Advocate Yusuf Hatim Machala, is preparing to approach the court to challenge the order. The Supreme Court has not ordered the removal of loudspeakers but only set limits to prevent noise pollution.”
Naseem Siddiqui, former Minority Commission Chairman and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, expressed grave concerns about the government’s approach. “Voices have been raised repeatedly, meetings held with trustees and senior officials like Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, but no meaningful result has come out.”
Siddiqui stressed the need for a united front. “It would be better if the DGP’s order is challenged jointly in court. All parties must move forward collectively, not separately. Only then will success be achieved.” He also pointed out that “trustees are being deliberately harassed, even though in most areas, loudspeaker volumes have already been reduced to very low levels.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
