In a move sparking concern among India’s Muslim community, authorities in Mumbai have enforced a ban on using loudspeakers for Azaan (the Islamic call to prayer). The restriction follows recent Mumbai High Court guidelines related to controlling noise pollution. Police across the city have implemented the ban by removing public address systems from mosques and other religious sites.
According to media reports, the Muslim community is now seeking digital alternatives, with many residents relying on mobile apps to hear the Azaan. Several mosques have also expressed frustration, calling the move an infringement on religious freedom.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti claimed the operation was “peaceful and successful,” stating that it aimed to reduce citywide noise without targeting any specific religious group. He said that the initiative was part of broader efforts to make Mumbai a quieter, more livable city.
However, five prominent Muslim organizations have filed a petition in the Mumbai High Court, challenging how the ban was implemented. They argue that the sudden removal of loudspeakers from mosques was discriminatory and bypassed proper legal procedures.
The development has ignited a debate over religious expression versus public noise control. Critics argue that such enforcement under the guise of regulation risks marginalizing minorities and eroding constitutional protections of religious practices.