Bengal mosques allege police pressure over loudspeakers

The Story in Brief

Several mosques in West Bengal have alleged that local police verbally instructed them to remove loudspeakers used for the azan. Muslim leaders have threatened a statewide agitation, while ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui has asked the DGP to clarify whether any official order exists.

The BJP government says it is enforcing court-mandated noise limits across religious institutions, capped at 55 decibels by day and 45 decibels at night. India Today, citing The Times of India, reports that more than 1,200 mosques and about 200 temples were ordered to remove loudspeakers for violations. The BJP has rejected allegations of unfair treatment. Rebel TMC MPs have also submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Indian Opinion

The loudspeaker dispute should not be reduced to claims that one community alone is being targeted, nor dismissed as routine political provocation. The reported action covers temples as well as mosques, but verbal instructions without written notices invite mistrust and accusations of selective enforcement. The state should publish its procedure, record violations and offer hearings. The clearest test is whether authorities disclose institution-wise notices and decibel readings, rather than rely on competing claims.

Source: indiatoday.in

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