Authorities disconnect loudspeakers, prompting quick resolution after public outcry
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD – A controversy erupted on Friday after authorities disconnected power supply to two loudspeakers at the historic Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad. The incident led to increased police presence in the old city to prevent any potential unrest.
Worshippers at the mosque noticed the absence of sound from the loudspeakers and quickly informed All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders. The loudspeakers were subsequently restored after intervention from local representatives.
The disconnection of the two outdoor loudspeakers, installed by the Minority Welfare Department based on public complaints, was a result of ongoing pressure on the mosque’s imam. For three consecutive weeks, the imam had faced demands to remove the loudspeakers. The Charminar Police Inspector, without consulting the Minority Welfare Department, Archaeology Department, Waqf Board, or any local leaders, pressured the imam to disconnect the loudspeakers. In response, the imam complied before the Friday noon prayers.
The removal of the loudspeakers drew immediate attention from the local community. Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi was informed, and he swiftly responded by sending Sahil Akbar, a local representative of the Majlis, to address the issue. Sahil Akbar engaged in discussions with DCP South Zone and other officials, and after extensive negotiations, the loudspeakers were reinstalled at Makkah Masjid.
Local residents and home guards cited disturbances caused by the loudspeakers as the reason for their removal. Continuous complaints to the police had led to the pressure exerted on the mosque’s imam to take down the loudspeakers.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions around religious practices and the balance between community complaints and religious freedoms. Owaisi and other community leaders continue to monitor the situation to ensure such disputes are handled with sensitivity and respect for all involved parties.
