Lucknow’s political corridors are buzzing after Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath government once again refused permission for mosques to use loudspeakers during Ramadan. Samajwadi Party’s chief legislative whip Kamal Akhtar has slammed the decision as blatant discrimination against Muslims.
The request came up in the state assembly on Thursday, seeking approval for announcements during Sehri and Iftar timings in the holy month. Citing Supreme Court orders, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna rejected it outright. Akhtar, speaking exclusively to media, didn’t hold back.
‘Our state and nation are home to people of all faiths,’ Akhtar asserted. ‘India is a land where every religion thrives, with festivals celebrated with immense joy. Governments always step up with security and arrangements for Hindu festivals like Kanwar Yatra and Holi. Roads are repaired, traffic diverted—everything is managed seamlessly.’
He highlighted Ramadan’s sanctity for Muslims, a month of fasting, prayer, and peace. ‘Previously, administrations made special provisions during Ramadan. But now, hiding behind Supreme Court directives on noise pollution, the government has stripped religious sites of loudspeakers entirely.’
Akhtar pointed out the practical need: calls for breaking fast and pre-dawn meals. Even drawing parallels to Ramleela events, his plea fell on deaf ears. ‘This exposes the hollowness of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,”‘ he charged, accusing the regime of favoring one community over others.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions over religious practices amid court-mandated restrictions on loudspeakers after 10 PM. As Ramadan approaches, the debate on balancing faith, law, and harmony intensifies, with opposition voices demanding equitable treatment across all festivals.