Several mosque committees in West Bengal on Wednesday alleged that police officials have been verbally directing them to remove loudspeakers from mosques without issuing any written order. The administration, however, has not officially confirmed the allegations.
According to a mosque committee, representatives of several religious institutions were called to a meeting at the Parnasree Police Station in Kolkata on Monday night. They alleged that police officials instructed mosque authorities to remove loudspeakers installed at mosques by August 4. A representative of the Garagachha Jama Masjid, located on Kazi Para Road under the jurisdiction of Parnasree Police Station, claimed that representatives of eight mosque committees and one shrine committee attended the meeting, along with members of around 12 temple committees.
According to the committee member, police officials told those present that loudspeakers at mosques should be removed within the stipulated deadline. The committee further alleged that when mosque representatives requested a copy of the relevant government notification or written order authorising such action, no written directive was produced and the instructions were conveyed verbally. Attempts to obtain a response from the Officer-in-Charge of Parnasree Police Station regarding the allegations did not yield any immediate comment.
Similar Allegations Surface From Other Districts
Similar allegations have also surfaced from other parts of the state. According to local residents, meetings were reportedly held with imams of several mosques in different districts, during which they were allegedly advised to remove loudspeakers. However, these claims could not be independently verified. One local resident said that mosque authorities had previously complied with government guidelines regarding permissible sound levels and had allowed officials to inspect the sound systems. “We have been following all the prescribed rules regarding noise levels. We do not understand why there is now a sudden instruction to remove the loudspeakers,” the resident said.
ISF Chairman Seeks Clarification From State Police
Meanwhile, ISF (Indian Secular Front) chairman and Bhangar MLA has written to the Commissioner of Police of Kolkata Police and the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal seeking clarification over allegations that police personnel have been directing mosque authorities to remove loudspeakers without issuing written orders.
In his letter, Siddique wrote, “We are receiving reports from several districts of the state that local police are visiting various mosques and either removing the loudspeakers without any legal notice or threatening mosque committee members to remove them. There are also reports from some areas that instructions have been issued prohibiting the use of loudspeakers for the Fajr Azaan (dawn call to prayer). In the meantime, in accordance with government directives and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, the volume of mosque loudspeakers has already been reduced. However, this coercive behaviour by the police authorities has created panic, anxiety, and confusion among the people.”
In the letter, Siddique argued that if there are complaints relating to noise pollution, authorities should act only after following due legal procedure, including issuing notices and providing an opportunity to be heard. He contended that no action should be taken against religious institutions through verbal instructions or coercive measures. The MLA further claimed that any such action, if carried out without due process, would be inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees relating to equality, personal liberty, freedom of speech and the freedom of religion under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25–28 of the Constitution.
Siddique Warns of Legal Action
Speaking to The Observer Post, Siddique said, “We have sought clarification from the state police on whether any official instruction has been issued regarding the removal of mosque loudspeakers. If such an order exists, we have requested a copy of it. If no such order exists and individual police personnel have acted arbitrarily by misusing their authority, we demand an immediate inquiry and appropriate action.”
He also called for the issuance of a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing any action related to loudspeakers at religious institutions to prevent arbitrary enforcement in the future. Siddique further said that he fears such incidents could adversely affect communal harmony if not addressed promptly. He added that if the administration fails to provide a satisfactory response, the party will consider approaching the Calcutta High Court seeking legal intervention.
Religious Leaders Question Alleged Police Action
On the other hand, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, former West Bengal minister and state president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, addressed a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club on Wednesday, voicing opposition to the alleged attempts to remove loudspeakers from mosques across the state. He stated, “The police are threatening to remove loudspeakers from mosques. What is happening? What are the police thinking? Is this some kind of joke? There are clear guidelines issued by the courts stating that loudspeakers may be used within the prescribed volume limits. So how can the police threaten to remove them? Will they not comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court?”
Nizamuddin Biswas, state secretary of the All Bengal Imam Muazzin Association, told The Observer Post, “According to the law, the use of loudspeakers is permitted subject to the prescribed rules governing noise levels, but nowhere does the law require their removal. Today, I received calls from different parts of the state reporting that the police had asked mosque authorities to remove loudspeakers from several mosques. However, when I spoke to the officers-in-charge (OC) of several police stations, they denied issuing any such instructions.”
No Official Response Yet
At the time of writing this news, there was no official response from the West Bengal Police or Kolkata Police regarding removing loudspeakers from mosques.
