A delegation from Mumbra, Kausa and Kalwa appeals to Thane Police Commissioner stressing equal treatment for all faiths in public sound regulations
THANE — A high-level delegation of Islamic scholars and political leaders from Mumbra, Kausa and Kalwa met Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dombre on Thursday to protest demands for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques, calling such moves politically motivated and unfair.
The delegation, led by local MLA Jitendra Awhad, included senior figures such as former Minorities Commission member Syed Ali Ashraf (Bhai Sahib), NCP (Sharad Pawar) Mumbra-Kalwa President Shamim Khan, Minorities Cell President Mufti Ashraf, and several respected scholars. Advocate Jalil Nauranga, representing the delegation, provided legal references to back their position.
The meeting followed remarks by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya demanding that loudspeakers be removed from mosques across Mumbra and Thane district. The call triggered unrest among mosque committees, prompting the scholars to raise the matter with MLA Awhad.
Delegation members urged the police commissioner not to act hastily against mosques or summon maulanas without valid cause. They requested that police facilitate the issuing of loudspeaker permits and ensure no intimidation of mosque officials. They also lodged a complaint about the threatening attitude reportedly adopted by a senior inspector in Kalwa.
Advocate Nauranga told the commissioner that the Gujarat High Court had clearly stated that the call to prayer from mosques does not amount to noise pollution. “This is not just about religion, it is about fairness under the law,” he said.
Commissioner Dombre assured the delegation that “no action will be taken against religious places that follow the law”. He added: “Politics has its place but no one can be allowed to take the law into their own hands or disrupt public order. You people should not worry; we will not take any step that causes you harm.”
MLA Awhad later told the media: “Some people try to set fire to others’ houses. Those calling for a ban on the call to prayer should remember – if loudspeakers are banned for azaan, they will also be banned for bhajans and Ganpati celebrations. What will they say then?”
Shamim Khan stressed that the community’s demand was simple: equal treatment for all religions. “We are following the law and want the same respect given to us as is given to others,” he said.
The delegation warned that they would continue to oppose any selective action that unfairly targets Muslims’ religious rights.
