Lucknow, February 20: The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has once again denied permission for the use of loudspeakers in mosques during the holy month of Ramadan. This decision has drawn criticism from various political figures, including Kamal Akhtar, the chief whip of the Samajwadi Party in the state assembly.
During an assembly session on Thursday, a request was made to allow announcements through loudspeakers for Iftar and Sehri during Ramadan. However, the request was rejected, citing directives from the Supreme Court.
Kamal Akhtar expressed his concerns in an interview, stating, “Our state and country are home to people of all religions. India is a religious nation, celebrating festivals from various faiths with great enthusiasm. The government ensures security and other arrangements for every festival.”
He further added, “When the Kanwar Yatra takes place, the government improves the roads and diverts traffic. Similar arrangements are made during Holi. Ramadan, considered the holiest month for Muslims, also deserves attention. People fast and pray for peace during this time. Previously, the government made arrangements for Ramadan, but now, under the guise of Supreme Court orders, loudspeakers have been removed from all religious places.”
Akhtar highlighted that announcements for Iftar and Sehri are essential during Ramadan. He had requested permission for loudspeaker use, but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna rejected this request, indicating that the government’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ is merely a facade. He pointed out that he had used the example of Ram Leela to advocate for loudspeaker use during Ramadan, but to no avail.
Notably, during the assembly session, Minister Khanna stated that the request for loudspeaker use could not be considered due to the Supreme Court’s ruling prohibiting loudspeaker use after 10 PM. He remarked that this tradition dates back to a time when clocks were not prevalent.
Leave a Comment