The state government is accused of enforcing the Hindutva agenda; opposition parties prepare a court challenge
MUMBAI — The ongoing drive to remove loudspeakers from mosques across the city has escalated into a serious political and social issue, with opposition leaders accusing the Maharashtra government of following a Hindutva-driven agenda targeting the Muslim community. The police have intensified actions to remove loudspeakers forcibly, sparking widespread concern among Muslim communities and their leaders.
According to opposition leaders, despite adherence to the Supreme Court’s clear guidelines on permissible sound levels, the government remains unyielding, showing no willingness to accommodate the concerns of Muslim citizens. In response, opposition parties are preparing a legal challenge against the Director General of Police’s (DGP) recent orders, which they argue go beyond the court’s directives.
Reports from various localities indicate that mosque trustees are being summoned to police stations and served notices demanding the removal of loudspeakers or a cut in their volume. Opposition leaders acknowledge that police have been strict in implementing these actions, but they also highlight that many trustees refuse to comply, choosing instead to operate loudspeakers within the sound limits prescribed by the Supreme Court.
Former State Minister and Congress Vice President Muhammad Arif Naseem Khan stated, “It is true that the efforts made so far do not seem to be successful. The reason for this is that the state government is working according to its specific agenda and is following an anti-Muslim policy.” He further explained that despite meetings with officials, including the police commissioner, the situation remains unchanged. “Therefore, at a meeting a few days ago, it was unanimously agreed that as per the Supreme Court’s instructions, loudspeakers should be kept on during prescribed times and at prescribed decibel levels. The DGP’s order, which disregards these rules, will be challenged in court.”
Khan emphasised the legal angle of the opposition’s strategy. “A team of expert lawyers, led by Advocate Yusuf Hatim Machala, is preparing to approach the court to challenge the order. The Supreme Court has not ordered the removal of loudspeakers but only set limits to prevent noise pollution.”
Naseem Siddiqui, former Minority Commission Chairman and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, expressed grave concerns about the government’s approach. “Voices have been raised repeatedly, meetings held with trustees and senior officials like Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, but no meaningful result has come out.”
Siddiqui stressed the need for a united front. “It would be better if the DGP’s order is challenged jointly in court. All parties must move forward collectively, not separately. Only then will success be achieved.” He also pointed out that “trustees are being deliberately harassed, even though in most areas, loudspeaker volumes have already been reduced to very low levels.”
Manoj Jamsatkar, MLA from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), admitted that mosque trustees are being harassed despite following the Supreme Court’s guidelines. “That is sad. I have personally met with trustees and imams of several mosques in my constituency,” he said. Jamsatkar also highlighted earlier meetings with Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, where assurances were made to ease tensions. “He assured me that we would meet again after Bakrid to discuss the police’s strict actions. Now that Bakrid has passed, a delegation from all parties will meet him soon to seek clarity and hopefully resolve the issue.”
The strong opposition against the state government’s actions comes amid increasing worries about the political use of administrative power to marginalise Muslims in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Several community leaders argue that the targeting of mosque loudspeakers is part of a broader pattern of harassment that undermines Muslim religious freedom and cultural expression.
Muhammad Arif Naseem Khan warned, “This is not just about sound pollution; it is about the systematic sidelining of Indian Muslims. The government must stop treating the community as second-class citizens and respect their rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
With preparations underway for a legal battle, experts and leaders are hopeful that the court will uphold the rights of Muslims to maintain their religious practices within the framework of the law. “We are confident that the court will recognise the unlawful nature of the DGP’s orders,” said Advocate Yusuf Hatim Machala, who leads the legal team. “Our fight is not just for loudspeakers, but for the dignity and respect of a community being unfairly targeted.”
As the legal challenge progresses, many see this case as a test of Maharashtra’s commitment to secularism and justice. The opposition’s united stance reflects growing alarm that the state government is using the pretext of noise regulation to push a Hindutva agenda that marginalises Muslims.
In the words of Naseem Siddiqui, “We call on all communities and political parties who value India’s secular fabric to stand together. This is not a fight of one community alone but for the protection of the country’s pluralistic identity.”
The issue remains unresolved, with police continuing their efforts, mosque trustees resisting removal orders, and legal battles looming on the horizon. For many Indian Muslims, this struggle is about more than just loudspeakers — it is about preserving their right to practice faith freely without fear of discrimination or state harassment.
