Three MPs meet Amit Shah over mosque microphones

The controversy surrounding the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in West Bengal, India, has now reached the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Meeting him in New Delhi on Thursday, three minority NCPI MPs elected from West Bengal, Abu Taher, Khalilur Rahman and Yusuf Pathan, alleged that people have created a perception that a specific religious community is being targeted in the name of controlling noise pollution.

They demanded that if the court's directive is implemented, it should be applied equally to all religious institutions.

After the meeting, Abu Taher said that they have no objection to following the Supreme Court's directive. However, the directive should be implemented equally not only in the case of mosques, but also in the case of Durga Puja, Kali Puja or any other religious event. He also commented that if action is taken targeting one religion separately, it will hurt the religious sentiments of people.

The MPs claim that the recent campaign in West Bengal has created concern among the minority community. They drew the attention of the Home Minister to consider the matter. Sources said that Shah listened to their statements in the meeting and assured them to look into the matter.

The administration's campaign to control noise pollution has recently intensified in West Bengal. According to media reports, representatives of several mosque committees were called to Kolkata's Parnasree police station last Monday night to discuss the removal of loudspeakers. After that, incidents of loudspeakers being removed from mosques in different parts of the state including Kolkata came to light. At the same time, campaigns were also conducted in different districts of North Bengal.

The state administration claims that the same policy is being followed for all religious institutions as per the Supreme Court's directives and the rules of the Noise Pollution Control Board.

However, the Indian Secular Front and the West Bengal State Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind have alleged that in reality more pressure is being created on the Muslim community. The leaders of the organization have also said that they will approach the court regarding this.

In this situation, the meeting of the three MPs with Shah has acquired political significance. The controversy that has arisen in the state over the implementation of the law on religious institutions has now reached the attention of the Centre.