Muslim Groups Condemn Police Seizure of Mosque Loudspeakers

Quick Summary

• Muslim groups in Mumbai have raised concerns over the removal of loudspeakers from mosques by police.
• Police actions are reportedly based on a Bombay High Court order restricting noise levels to 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night.
• Mosque trustees allege selective enforcement without proper verification of compliance with permitted decibel limits.
• A meeting took place at Sakinaka’s Masjid Ajmeri involving Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, MLAs Amin Patel and Aslam Shaikh, alongside mosque managements discussing grievances.
• Samajwadi party state chief abu Asim Azmi led a delegation meeting Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, condemning alleged harassment and accusing BJP functionary Kirit Somaiya of instigating such actions.
• Community leaders argue azaan lasts only a few minutes compared to other religious celebrations that are noisier and longer, while emphasizing compliance with legal limits moving forward.
• Commissioner Bharti stated that police would continue enforcing existing laws impartially.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

This issue reflects broader societal tensions regarding balancing community practices with legal frameworks on noise pollution control in urban areas like Mumbai. The enforcement stems from lawful guidelines established by the Bombay High Court,yet allegations of selective policing spotlight challenges in equitable application across diverse communities.

The debate surrounding azaan amplifies nuanced questions about maintaining communal harmony while adhering to regulations in a pluralistic society where different traditions operate within shared spaces. the proactive engagement by political leaders may ensure dialog-based solutions rather than escalating disputes into communal discord.

Ultimately,adherence to permissible decibel levels presents an actionable pathway for resolving disagreements fairly without compromising legal obligations or cultural expressions-helping bridge gaps between regulation and tradition for enduring coexistence.