West Bengal police remove loudspeakers from mosques amid noise rule enforcement

A significant controversy has erupted in West Bengal regarding the removal of loudspeakers from mosques and other religious institutions, following directives from the state police to enforce noise pollution regulations. Reports indicate that police have approached numerous mosques across various districts, issuing verbal instructions to remove loudspeakers or replace them with sound boxes, citing a need to comply with established noise limits. This action is reportedly a consequence of a decision made by the newly elected BJP government in its first cabinet meeting to enforce court-mandated noise pollution rules across all religious sites. The state police have been tasked with ensuring compliance with the West Bengal Pollution Control Board's prescribed noise limits, which are 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night in residential areas. Muslim leaders and organizations have voiced strong concerns, with some claiming that the police are applying undue pressure without providing written orders. Maulana Muhammad Shafique Qasmi, the Imam of Kolkata's Nakhoda Mosque, stated that mosque officials were threatened and asked to remove loudspeakers, asserting that no court order or government notification mandates such a summary removal. He highlighted that existing rules allow for loudspeakers to be played at 65 decibels in urban localities, and any enforcement should be based on measured noise levels rather than outright removal. The Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA, Naushad Siddiqui, has also criticized the alleged arbitrary actions, writing to the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking clarification and an inquiry into the matter. Siddiqui emphasized that actions against religious institutions should not be taken through oral instructions or force and suggested that any action must follow proper investigation, notice, and an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the law. He further alleged that in some areas, police have instructed that the Fajr azan not be made on loudspeakers, which he claims violates fundamental rights. Conversely, government officials, including Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul, have maintained that the drive is not targeted at any specific community and is being implemented uniformly across all religious institutions, including temples. They stress that the objective is to control noise pollution and enforce the law, which applies to everyone. The Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have previously passed directives regarding noise pollution, emphasizing the right to a noise-free environment as part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. These rulings prohibit the use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and mandate adherence to specific decibel limits. In response to the escalating situation, three rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs – Yusuf Pathan, Abu Taher Khan, and Khalilur Rehman – met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They submitted a memorandum expressing concerns about the implementation of noise regulation rules, urging that they be applied fairly and sensitively without hurting religious sentiments. The MPs stated that they fully respect the law and Supreme Court directions on noise regulation. The news has generated significant discussion, with some media outlets framing it as a community-specific issue while others highlight the broader enforcement of noise pollution laws. The Bengal BJP president, Shamik Bhattacharya, has dismissed criticism, suggesting political parties should avoid double standards and that the action is democratic. The situation remains tense, with Muslim leaders threatening statewide agitation if the issue is not addressed and opposition parties contemplating legal recourse, including approaching the Calcutta High Court.

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