EVEN AS the issue of removal of loudspeakers from mosques by police in the past few weeks led to opposition by some religious organisations, Mumbai Police Saturday said the city is now “loudspeaker-free”. Officials said that it was Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who held a series of meetings with delegations from the two communities to amicably resolve the issue.
Confirming that its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday said that Mumbai is now “loudspeaker-free from all religious structures”.
Earlier this year, the Bombay High Court had directed the government to ensure that action was taken against loudspeaker violations.
The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community were not singled out. While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals.
In the past few days, however, some Muslim organisations had alleged that the police were taking down all loudspeakers irrespective of whether they were violating norms or not. Some delegations had also met senior police officers and also written to CM Fadnavis against it.
Sources in the government said that CM Fadnavis held a series of meetings with delegations representing Hindus, Muslims and others to amicably resolve the controversial loudspeaker ban on places of worship”.
An official said, “Fadnavis had made it clear that the state government will strictly adhere to the rules and directives of the High Court. And it would be applicable to all.”
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He also indicated that the state will not allow any confrontation or law and order issue arising on the subject. “Therefore, before initiating any action, Fadnavis who also holds the Home portfolio, held detailed discussions with top police officers in order to guide them how to go ahead with the drive,” the official said.
Apart from that Fadnavis also spoke to Muslim leaders and impressed upon them the significance of adhering to Court orders on loudspeakers. On June 25, a group of Muslim delegation met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, complaining that police were removing loudspeakers from mosques in the state.
NCP leader Nawab Malik, along with former AIMIM MLA Warris Pathan, his party legislator and daughter Sana Malik, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi, and others, had called upon Ajit Pawar to raise their concerns.
The deputy CM assured them he would look into the matter. At the same time, he also brought to their notice Bombay High Court order, which prescribed permissible decibel limits mandatory for all places of worship.
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According to the Bombay High Court ruling, the permissible sound level for loudspeakers is 55 decibels during the daytime and 45 decibels at night. In addition, loudspeakers are not permitted between 10 pm and 6 am.
