Calcutta High Court questions West Bengal mosque loudspeaker ban allegations

The Calcutta High Court has questioned the West Bengal government regarding allegations that police have issued verbal orders to mosques to remove loudspeakers. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) claims that police have pressured religious institutions, including mosques and temples, to dismantle loudspeakers without formal written orders or evidence of noise level violations.

The petitioner, represented by senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, argued that such blanket restrictions interfere with religious rights protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. The state government has challenged the petition, noting that no specific instance of a mosque being forced to remove equipment has been identified. The court has requested the state government to clarify its position and has adjourned the matter until Tuesday.