In the meeting with Muslim leaders and top police officials on the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in Mumbai, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) directed police not to take any wrongful actions while instructing Kirit Somaiya not to visit the mosque, citing potential law and order issues.
This comes after the delegation of Muslim leaders complained of campaigns against loudspeakers by Mr. Somaiya in several areas of Mumbai, as well as police action on removing the loudspeakers. Despite compliance with the Court’s order of permissible noise levels under 56 decibels, Muslim representatives alleged that police have been harassing mosque committees.
Samajwadi Party state chief Abu Azmi said, “One person like Kirit Somaiya has created pressure in Mumbai. Muslims are targeted and harassed.”
The delegation consisted of Muslim leaders Nawab Malik, Zeeshan Siddique, Abu Azmi, Waris Pathan, Sana Malik, Jallal Uddin, and Siddharth Kamble, who also accused the police of falling to political pressure. At the meeting, State DGP Rashmi Shukla and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti were also present.
“Police are unlawfully removing the sound systems, fueling tensions. What is the problem with Azaan? It has been there for years,” said AIMIM’s Waris Pathan.
