Kirit Somaiya Claims Over 1,500 Illegal Loudspeakers Removed From Mosques In 3 Months

Mumbai: Even as Muslim leaders accused former BJP Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya of pressuring the police to take penal action against mosques that use loudspeakers to broadcast azaans, or the call to prayer, Somaiya said on Thursday that the police have removed more than 1,500 illegal loudspeakers in the last three months.

"We initiated campaign after Mumbai High Court issued directives about use of such speakers, loudspeakers and noise pollution. 99% masjids/trustees have never obtained, applied for loudspeakers permission till High Court order," Somaiya said on Thursday in a statement on 'X'. He added that after police action, more than 600 masjids and trustees have applied for permission and police have allowed box speakers.

"NO illegal LOUDSPEAKERS on Masjids/Mosques" in Mumbai"

Mumbai Police removed more than 1500 illegal Loudspeakers of Mosques in last 3 months.

We initiated Campaign after Mumbai Highcourt issued directives about use of such speakers, loudspeakers & Noise Pollution.

99%…

— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) June 26, 2025

Yusuf Abrahani, former Congress MLA and now the Samajwadi Party's Working President, who was part of the delegation that met Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday to complain about the police action, said that the penal action was illegal because loudspeakers at mosques were not exceeding sound limits prescribed under the noise rules. Muslims have filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court against the police action.

Mumbai police continued their penal action against loudspeakers. On Tuesday night, Nagpada police station went to Sunni Badi Masjid, also called Hari Masjid, in Madanpura, and asked the staff to remove the loudspeakers. Senior police officials were at the site to prevent law and order problems.

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The police action is in response to the Bombay High Court order on January 25, 2025, which said that places of worship cannot violate noise pollution rules. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, allow noise levels up to 55 decibels during the day and 45 dB at night in residential areas. Noise from loudspeakers can vary between 75 and 200 dB.

Mosque trustees have, however, said that the action is arbitrary and does not follow the due process of law, which requires police to issue a warning to offenders before sound equipment is seized.

Abrahani said that Somaiya is going to areas where Muslims live and asking the police to remove loudspeakers from the mosques, creating a law and order problem. The law applies to everyone, but only Muslims are being targeted. Footpaths are occupied during Holi, Ganeshotsav, and Diwali. If Muslims are following the rules by reducing the decibel levels of the loudspeakers, there is no violation of the law," said Abrahani.

Somaiya has been using the Right to Information law to ensure police compliance with the order. In its reply to an RTI query from Somaiya, the Bhandup police said that they have removed loudspeakers from 16 mosques in their jurisdiction. The Govandi police station replied that sound equipment was removed from two mosques.

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Loudspeakers were taken off 15 mosques under the jurisdiction of the Vakola police station, a reply under the RTI law said. Action was taken against 33 masjids in Ghatkopar, 72 in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, eight in Mulund, and 18 in Bhandup, Somaiya said on Thursday.