Mumbai: In a move that has drawn strong criticism and raised significant concerns about religious freedom, the Modi government has effectively banned the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call to prayer (Azan) in mosques across Mumbai. This decision comes after a recent directive from the Bombay High Court concerning noise pollution, which the police have now implemented city-wide.
According to reports, the ban has led to the removal of public address systems from mosques in Mumbai, forcing the Muslim community to find alternative ways to observe their daily prayers. In response, many mosques and worshippers in Mumbai have turned to the “Online Azan” app, developed by a Tamil Nadu-based company, to listen to the Azan and check prayer times. The app is being widely adopted, with numerous mosques registering to provide notifications for all five daily prayers and sending mobile alerts to worshippers for congregational prayers.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti stated that police officers successfully completed the operation to remove public address systems from all religious sites, declaring Mumbai a “loudspeaker-free” and “noise-free city.” While the police maintain the action is not selectively targeting any community, Muslim organizations and leaders have alleged otherwise, claiming that the enforcement has been disproportionately focused on mosques. Five Muslim religious institutions have even filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the manner in which loudspeakers were removed.
