In several parts of West Bengal, police have asked mosques committees to remove rooftop loudspeakers and replace them with sound box to ensure noise pollution rules.
Many mosques have followed the instructions and removed them from the buildings.
The action came after the discussion in the cabinet meeting of the elected government to strictly implement existing noise pollution regulations at all religions places.
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board states that noise level in residential areas should not go above 55 decibels during the day time and 45 decibels during the night time.
According to the official, the rules are meant to reduce the noise pollution and are not targeted to any religious communities.
The Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul stated that the restrictions would be applied to all the religious places, mosques, temples and other religions institutions equally.
Industry Minister Tapas Roy has also requested to follow the suggested noise limits.
However, several Muslim organizations have raised questioned how the rules are implemented as the authorities have set the limits on noise pollution and not in the ban of loudspeakers in the mosques. They said, authorities should first measure the noise levels before removing the loudspeakers from the buildings.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury and Murshidabad MP Abu Taher Khan also came in favor of this question and asked for equal treatment to other religions places.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has reiterated that Namaz should be offered inside mosques and that religious activities should not take place on public roads.
