Amidst the ongoing controversy over loudspeakers in Maharashtra, 72 percent of mosques in Mumbai have reduced the sound of loudspeakers during the azaan. Apart from this, many mosques have stopped using loudspeakers for morning azan. This has come to the fore in the recently released survey by Mumbai Police. This survey of Maharashtra Police has come at a time when the Mumbai branch of All India Sunna Jamiatul Ulema Organization has sought permission from the Mumbai Police for the use of loudspeakers. The organization said that some people want to stop using loudspeakers during Namaz, so they sought permission from Mumbai Police.
The organization has said in its statement that they have written a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey requesting to issue necessary guidelines in this matter. State unit president of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulema Moinuddin Ashraf said that the mosques in Mumbai are already following the Supreme Court’s order regarding loudspeakers. Ashraf has requested the Mumbai Police Commissioner to issue directions to all police stations to allow the use of loudspeakers in the mosque.
It is worth noting that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had threatened on April 2 that if the Maharashtra government fails to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, then his party workers will chant Hanuman Chalisa on big speakers in front of the mosque during Namaz. And sing hymns. Amidst the loud speaker controversy, Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey had said that if any party or leader is contemplating to play bhajan on the loudspeaker 15 minutes before or after the azaan, then he will have to take permission from the police. He had said that those who do not follow this order will be jailed for 6 months.
Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Wasle Patil had said regarding the use of loudspeakers that the Director General of Police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner are together making guidelines regarding the use of loudspeakers in public places, which will be issued soon. He had also said that we are keeping an eye on law and order in the state and strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disturb peace in the state.