Five mosques have challenged in the High Court the action initiated by the Mumbai Police against the use of loudspeakers at religious places, alleging that the police are selectively targeting their community. Taking cognizance of the petition of these shrines, the court issued notice to the police and the state government on Tuesday and ordered them to clarify their position on the allegations.
As per the court order, Mumbai Police has initiated action against the use of loudspeakers at religious places which violates the rules. Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti had recently claimed that this action was regarding loudspeakers at all religious places. However, the petition filed by the five dargahs has made the exact opposite claim. The petition also claims that the worshippers of mosques and dargahs are suffering due to the selective targeting of mosques and dargahs by the Mumbai Police.
The police had issued notices to the petitioner shrines for violating noise pollution control rules. The petitioners have challenged this notice in the High Court. It has also been alleged that this entire police action is against the Muslim community, is hostile, discriminatory and violates their fundamental rights. The petition also alleges that the police are taking action out of political interests. This action is being taken arbitrarily and that is why the petitioners have also demanded that it be stopped.
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Every individual and community has the right to practice their religion as per the norms of Noise Pollution Control Rules. Azan is an important part of the Muslim religion. Also, the petitioners, while seeking to stop the police action, have claimed that it is necessary to use loudspeakers to call citizens of the community to offer prayers in a city like Mumbai. A bench of Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Milind Sathye heard the petitions on Tuesday. At that time, the court issued a notice to the police and posted the matter for hearing on July 9.
Last week, Police Commissioner Deven Bharti claimed that Mumbai is now free of loudspeakers at all religious places. Bharti had also denied allegations of crackdowns on loudspeakers at select religious places. It was also emphasised that this action was taken systematically on the orders of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Bharti had also said that this action is being taken in the backdrop of the orders given by the Bombay High Court in January this year. While giving this order, the court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers cannot be considered an integral part of any religion.
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