Bengal mosques being forced to remove loudspeakers
A controversy has emerged in West Bengal over the removal of loudspeakers from mosques and temples to comply with noise pollution regulations. While the state government claims it is enforcing court orders, critics and some political leaders are raising concerns about religious freedom.
Why it matters
The issue touches on the intersection of secular law enforcement, noise pollution, and religious rights in India.
A major controversy has erupted in West Bengal after several Muslim leaders claimed that mosques across the state were being pressured by police to remove loudspeakers used for the azan, or call to prayer. Several mosque committees alleged that they received verbal instructions from local police stations regarding the removal of loudspeakers.The Trinamool Congress faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is set to raise the issue with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday.Meanwhile, three rebel TMC MPs – former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, Khalilur Rahaman and Abu Taher Khan – met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and submitted a memorandum over the matter.The MPs expressed concern over the protection of religious freedom and urged the Centre to ensure that noise pollution norms are enforced without hurting religious sentiments.WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT?In its first Cabinet meeting, the BJP government decided to implement court-mandated noise pollution rules across all religious institutions.Under…
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