Kolkata: On Bengal police’s instruction, at least 1,279 loudspeakers have been removed from mosques and 199 from temples over the past two days for violating prescribed noise limits. The majority of dismantling has happened in North Bengal, where 1,238 loudspeakers have been taken down from mosques and 117 from temples.Senior police officers confirmed the ongoing crackdown, stating that action is being implemented “uniformly across religious institutions” following repeated noise pollution complaints.As part of the first-of-its-kind drive in Bengal, cops are contacting managements of places of worship and nudging them to dismantle their public address systems to enforce noise norms. Under Bengal’s Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, daytime (6 am to 10 pm) public loudspeaker use requires prior police permission, mandatory sound limiters and strict adherence to 50–75 decibel limits.Several mosque and temple committee representatives told TOI that local police had verbally instructed them to remove loudspeakers from their premises.In Murshidabad, police personnel visited some mosques on Wednesday morning and directed committee members to remove their loudspeakers. Mohammad Robiul Ahmed, imam of Daulatabad Siddhi Nagar Jumma Masjid near Berhampore, said the committee did not receive prior intimation of such a drive.“The inspector-in charge called us to the police station on Tuesday along with representatives of other places of worship. He just said, being new to the area, he wanted to meet us. This morning, police personnel came to the mosque and asked us to take down our loudspeaker. We removed it and handed it over to them,” Ahmed said.Sandip Pandey of the Radhakrishna Temple Committee in Chanchal, Malda, said the administration cited noise norms while directing them to remove their public address system. “Accordingly, we removed it, and the devotees accepted the decision without any objection,” he said.A senior police officer said CM Suvendu Adhikari had recently told the police brass that all places of worship must comply with pollution norms. “CM held a meeting with us and explained that all regulations prescribed by the Pollution Control Board must be followed by every religious institution. We have accordingly begun implementing these rules in consultation with religious bodies. Loudspeakers are being removed from locations where repeated complaints have been received,” the officer said.However, some mosque representatives expressed concern that the directions were being communicated verbally and there was no written order.Nizamuddin Biswas of All Bengal Imam and Muezzin Association said officers from Domkal police station held a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of various religious organisations. “They told us that loudspeakers violating noise norms will have to be removed. In May, soon after the regime change, mosques were instructed to reduce the volume, and we complied immediately. This time, however, they are asking us to remove the loudspeakers altogether, all through verbal instructions with nothing in writing,” said Biswas, adding that many mosques have already complied.Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Nawsad Siddique, who represents Bhangar, urged cops to issue a clear SOP on the matter. “Several imams have informed me about the verbal directives. I advised them to ask for written orders or allow the police to remove the equipment themselves. Imams and committee members should avoid confrontation with the police. If anyone violates noise norms, legal action should follow. I have written to the DG seeking written instructions and intend to move court on the issue,” he said.(Inputs from Subhro Maitra in Malda and Sukumar Mahato in Berhampore)
