Police remove loudspeakers from 1,500 mosques in Mumbai
Mumbai: The police in Maharashtra state of India have removed loudspeakers from around 1,500 mosques and other places of worship in Mumbai alone, following orders from the state government.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti said, “Police have taken action against the loudspeakers installed in places of worship of all religions and cleaned the city’s religious sites of loudspeakers.”
Bharti confirmed that loudspeakers were taken down from hundreds of mosques and other places of worship across Mumbai and its surrounding areas. “This action was taken after repeated discussions with political, social and community leaders,” he said.
Police Commissioner made it clear that loudspeakers taken down will not be allowed to be put back. “Only during religious festivals, and that too after applying, permission will be given to use loudspeakers temporarily as per the noise pollution law,” he said.
The issue gained more attention after public complaints and political pressure. Many people were unhappy with the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in particular. Political and social leaders met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Commissioner Bharti to share their concerns.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirt Soumya, who has been campaigning for the removal of mosque loudspeakers, claimed that “loudspeakers were removed from several mosques on Sunday.”
Mumbai Police said they will continue to follow court orders and ensure that no place of worship violates the rules on noise levels.
