A dispute broke out in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, after a mosque used a loudspeaker to announce Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. The move angered members of a Hindutva outfit, who called it a “new tradition” and lodged a complaint.
Officers from Tanda police station and various other stations rushed to the scene, pacifying both sides. Following the incident, authorities arrested nine people, including the mosque’s imam, citing the introduction of a “new tradition.”
The mosque in question is a small establishment in Manakpur Bajaria village, under Saidnagar outpost of Tanda police station. Built around 15–20 years ago, it serves approximately 20 families for daily prayers. The controversy unfolded on Sunday when a loudspeaker announcement was made to indicate the opening of the fast. Members of another community deemed this a deviation from existing customs and reported it to the police.
Upon receiving the complaint, emergency response unit 112 arrived at the scene. While the police managed to calm tensions, opposition to the announcement continued. Subsequently, the police arrested nine individuals, including the mosque’s imam, and removed the loudspeaker from the religious site. A case has been registered against the members of the mosque, and they have been sent to jail.
Speaking on the matter, Additional Superintendent of Police Atul Kumar Srivastava confirmed that authorities had received information about a dispute over the loudspeaker in Manakpur Bajaria. “Immediate action was taken, and nine people have been arrested,” he stated.
This incident fits into a larger trend in India where Muslims are increasingly facing restrictions on religious practices, from azan loudspeakers to namaz in open spaces.
