Commissioner denies targeting any specific religion, says action followed court and government orders
MUMBAI – The police in this Maharashtra metropolis have removed loudspeakers from around 1,500 places of worship in the city and suburbs, following orders from the Bombay High Court and directions from the state government.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti said the action was not aimed at any single religious group. “The followers of any religion are not being targeted,” he told the media. “Police have taken action against the loudspeakers installed in places of worship of all religions and cleaned the city’s religious sites of loudspeakers.”
Bharti confirmed that loudspeakers were taken down from hundreds of temples, mosques, churches, and other places of worship across Mumbai and its surrounding areas. “This action was taken after repeated discussions with political, social, and community leaders,” he said.
He also mentioned that before starting the operation, police spoke with people in charge of these places and explained the legal reasons. “The public and the responsible persons of the places of worship were taken into confidence,” Bharti said.
Bharti made it clear that loudspeakers taken down will not be allowed to be put back. “Only during religious festivals, and that too after applying, permission will be given to use loudspeakers temporarily as per the noise pollution law,” he explained.
The issue gained more attention after public complaints and political pressure. Many people were unhappy about the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in particular. Political and social leaders met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Commissioner Bharti to share their concerns.
Despite this, Bharti stood firm that the action was not one-sided. “Loudspeakers have been removed from all communities’ places of worship—not just mosques,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirt Soumya, who has been campaigning for the removal of mosque loudspeakers, claimed that “loudspeakers were removed from several mosques on Sunday.”
Mumbai Police said they will continue to follow court orders and ensure that no place of worship violates the rules on noise levels.
