MUMBAI — A wave of concern is spreading across Mumbai’s Muslim community as police continue to press trustees of mosques to either seek renewed permission for loudspeaker use or drastically reduce their volume levels—even removing them entirely in some cases.
The move comes amid fresh instructions issued by Mumbai Police to all places of worship regarding loudspeaker usage, citing Supreme Court guidelines and noise pollution regulations. However, Muslim leaders argue that the enforcement appears selective and disproportionately harsh towards mosques.
In South Mumbai and other parts of the city, many mosques have already secured official permissions, some by paying the required fees. “This process is ongoing, and most mosques have already complied,” said a trustee from a mosque in Byculla. “We’ve followed the law, yet we are constantly under scrutiny.”
But the situation has taken a more troubling turn in the MIDC Andheri area, where police reportedly instructed mosque authorities to remove existing loudspeakers and replace them with smaller internal speakers.
Speaking to Clarion India, a trustee from the mosque in MIDC said, “The police have asked that the loudspeakers be removed and a small speaker be installed inside the mosque. The question is, who gave the police the right to dictate this? Is this strictness being shown at temples and churches too?”
The incident has stirred anger and confusion among mosque committees, especially as there are no clear reports of similar demands being placed on non-Muslim places of worship. “A few days ago, police imposed a fine on a mosque in Chembur, just because of the Azaan and its sound level,” said another trustee.
The Supreme Court’s guidelines on noise pollution prohibit the use of loudspeakers between 10 PM and 6 AM. Police say the directive is for all religions, but implementation on the ground appears lopsided, according to multiple Muslim representatives.
A senior member of the service committee of a historic mosque in South Mumbai shared his frustration: “The decibel level set by police is so low that even a normal conversation might exceed it. Isn’t that a joke? The Azaan takes barely two minutes—what harm can it cause?”
He further added, “Every now and then, we get reminders and warnings. It feels like we’re being punished for following our religion peacefully.”
Muslim leaders across Mumbai are beginning to ask hard questions about the unequal treatment. While the guidelines themselves may apply to all religious institutions, the pattern of enforcement seems skewed.
“Where are the inspections of loudspeakers at temples during early morning or evening Aarti?” asked a social activist based in Jogeshwari. “Have they been fined? Have they been warned or told to remove speakers? If the law is the same, then enforcement must also be the same.”
The police, however, maintain that their actions are neutral and aimed at reducing overall noise pollution. “These are not religious orders,” said one official on the condition of anonymity. “This is part of broader efforts to manage public sound levels in accordance with the law.”
Still, mosque authorities aren’t convinced. “We’re ready to follow rules, but why should we be treated like violators even after complying?” asked a mosque caretaker in Kurla. “Let the same rules be applied everywhere, not just in Muslim localities.”
With Ramzan recently concluded and Eid celebrations behind, many fear the timing of these restrictions could also be seen as an indirect message. “First you warn us during Ramzan, then you instruct us to remove speakers just after Eid. What exactly are they trying to tell us?” asked a young imam from the eastern suburbs.
The growing frustration among Muslim leaders is now pushing for a joint response. Some are planning to approach the Human Rights Commission, while others are seeking legal advice.
“There is a right way to enforce the law,” said a lawyer familiar with religious rights cases. “But if the law is being used as a weapon to suppress a community’s practice, then it is no longer law—it’s discrimination.”
Mumbai’s skyline continues to buzz with calls to prayer, devotional songs, and festive chants, the question remains—will every faith be treated with the same yardstick, or will one community be made to prove its right to worship time and again?
