Members of the Muslim community staged a protest in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun against a police drive to remove loudspeakers from religious places, alleging that the action was being carried out selectively and in the name of enforcing rules.
The protest comes amid allegations by some community members that the state government has recently taken action against several minority religious places and madrasas over claims of illegal encroachment on government land.
Police Cite Supreme Court Guidelines
The controversy began after the Dehradun Police, acting on the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police, launched a drive to remove loudspeakers from religious places in different parts of the city.
Police said the action was being taken in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on noise pollution and involved the removal of loudspeakers allegedly exceeding the prescribed sound limits.
During the drive, microphones and loudspeakers were removed from several religious places.
Protesters Allege Selective Action
Following the operation, members of the Muslim community held a demonstration at the Vikasnagar Tehsil and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Deputy District Magistrate.
The protesters described the action as unconstitutional and demanded that it be stopped.
They alleged that authorities were removing loudspeakers even from religious places where the sound levels were well within permissible limits.
‘Supreme Court Did Not Order Removal of Loudspeakers’
The protesters argued that the Supreme Court’s 2021 order dealt with permissible noise levels and did not direct authorities to remove loudspeakers altogether.
According to them, the court had only mandated that sound should not exceed 50 decibels in a manner that causes inconvenience to nearby residents.
They alleged that the police were misinterpreting the court’s directions and removing equipment even where no complaints of excessive noise had been made.
Community Seeks Review of Action
Imran Khan, who participated in the protest, said that religious institutions should comply with noise pollution rules but opposed what he described as unnecessary action.
“We support compliance with the rules regarding loudspeakers at religious places, but action should not be taken without any valid reason. The administration should review this matter and stop such action,” he said.
The Uttarakhand Police have maintained that the drive is aimed at enforcing noise pollution norms and ensuring compliance with court guidelines.
