Trustees of Masjid Darul Salam say decision to remove loudspeakers was voluntary, lawful, and not made under any pressure from any group or individual
NAVI MUMBAI — A new dispute has surfaced in Ambedkar Nagar in Turbhe and Vashi Naka in this Maharashtra city, after the Bajrang Dal tried to take public credit for the removal of loudspeakers from Masjid Darul Salam. The trustees of the mosque, however, firmly deny the claim and said the step was taken by the trust itself to follow legal rules.
Trustee and secretary of the mosque, Khawaja Mian Patel, said the decision had nothing to do with any pressure from the Bajrang Dal or any other organisation. He said, “We removed the loudspeakers on our own to follow the law. No one forced us to do it. We still have the police permit for using loudspeakers.”
According to him, only small speakers have been fixed inside the mosque for internal use. He added, “Some people are spreading false stories for their own benefit. Our mosque pays all bills, taxes and follows every rule. No one can question our commitment to the law.”
The situation escalated when Navi Mumbai Bajrang Dal official Tejas Yashwant Patil shared a letter dated 19 November, signed by local police inspector Dinesh Patil. The letter stated that the mosque’s loudspeakers had been removed under a high court order. Tejas Patil circulated this letter widely along with his own message.
In his message, he claimed that the Bajrang Dal had been working on this issue for several months. He said the call to prayer on loudspeakers was causing disturbance to “local citizens, students, patients and the elderly”, and that action was taken after their complaint.
Tejas Patil wrote that “our efforts were successful”, adding that the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad had removed loudspeakers from several “illegal mosques” in Navi Mumbai. He also referred to a complaint he said was filed at Vashi Naka police station on 18 July, 2025.
However, the mosque representatives say the Bajrang Dal’s claim is part of a continuing campaign against Darul Salam. Local Muslims recall how tensions rose earlier when the trustees complained to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers against the closure of Vinayak Residency and Lodge, located near the mosque.
After that complaint, Tejas Patil took the side of the lodge owner and filed several complaints against the mosque, accusing it of being illegal. He even tried to push for its demolition but was unsuccessful.
Khawaja Mian Patel said, “Everyone in the area knows this history. This loudspeaker issue is being used again to target the mosque. But we will not respond to provocation. We stand by the law.”
Many local Muslim residents say the Bajrang Dal is trying to show dominance by projecting regular legal compliance as its own achievement. They point out that the mosque had a valid loudspeaker permit from the police and never faced any legal action regarding prayer announcements.
A resident of the area said, “The mosque followed the rules. But some people want to make everything political. They want to show Muslims in a bad light without any reason.”
Community elders have urged the public not to fall for misleading claims. They say the mosque has always followed government rules and should not be portrayed as breaking the law.
A senior community member said, “The trust has acted responsibly. The attempt to turn this into a victory for any group is unnecessary. People should see the full picture.”
The trustees of Masjid Darul Salam insist the decision to remove loudspeakers was purely to follow the law, and accuse certain people of spreading propaganda for personal and political reasons. The Bajrang Dal, meanwhile, continues to claim the action as its own success.
The dispute has once again highlighted how religious issues are sometimes used to create pressure on Indian Muslims. But the trustees say they will continue to follow the law with patience and dignity.
