LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has clarified its stand on the use of loudspeakers in mosques during the holy month of Ramzan, stating that existing Supreme Court directives on sound restrictions remain applicable. According to news agency PTI, the issue was raised in the state Assembly during Zero Hour by Samajwadi Party member Kamal Akhtar, who urged the government to allow mosques to make announcements for ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’.
Ramzan commenced on Thursday.
Opposition raises issue in Assembly
Akhtar said that festivals of all religions — including Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Kanwar Yatra as well as Christian and Sikh celebrations — are observed in the state, and mosques should similarly be allowed to use loudspeakers during Ramzan. He said brief announcements are traditionally made from mosques to inform people observing fast about the timings of ‘sehri’ (pre-dawn meal) and ‘iftar’ (meal to break the fast). Akhtar also claimed that the government recently removed loudspeakers from most religious places, and urged it to permit mosque announcements during Ramzan to provide relief to people.
Supreme Court order cited
Responding to the issue, Finance and Parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Supreme Court has clearly directed that loudspeakers should not be used after 10 pm. The Supreme Court prohibits the use of loudspeakers, public address systems, and sound-producing instruments from 10 pm to 6 am, except in closed premises such as auditoriums, conference rooms, and banquet halls for internal communication. Khanna said that even at weddings, police ensure compliance if complaints are received about loudspeakers being used beyond the stipulated time. Referring to the tradition of mosque announcements for ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’, Khanna said the practice originated when clocks were not common and people estimated time by the position of the sun. “Today, almost every person – whether a rickshaw puller, street vendor or vegetable seller – has a mobile phone that shows time. So the necessity is no longer there,” he said. He added that while the government does not interfere in anyone’s religious beliefs, the Supreme Court has laid down the rules on the use of loudspeakers, and “it is not our order”.
Continued disagreement
Akhtar maintained that the apex court order relates to sound levels and does not prohibit the use of loudspeakers, and urged the minister to allow the announcements during Ramzan. The minister did not offer any further reply.
