By Muslim Mirror Staff
Ahmedabad/New Delhi :More than one month after lockdown the Vijay Rupani-led BJP Gujarat government on Monday issued a circular banning use of loudspeakers at religious places and prohibiting gathering of all kinds till May 3, the last day of second phase of lockdown.
The government said that these restrictions will be followed strictly in the coming days of festivity and it will not be lifted until further orders from the central government comes.
The circular says that “All kinds of public religious activities/puja, bandgi (both meaning worship in Hindi and Urdu) or any such activities that leads to assembly of people is not permitted and use of loudspeakers or any other medium for these purposes is banned.”
The circular issued by Gujarat government comes after a video surfaced on social media showing two policemen purportedly telling people that azan was not allowed during lockdown as per the LG’s order in Delhi. Soon after the incident Delhi police, clarified in a tweet that azan is allowed in accordance with the National Green Tribunal guidelines but urged people to follow lockdown norms during Ramzan.
The issue of azaan from mosques is very crucial due to the beginning of the month of Ramzan (beginning Saturday)when Muslims fast and break their fast on hearing the azaan at sunset.
The abrupt decision of Gujarat government banning Azaan that too in the month of Holy Ramadan will definitely fuel anger among Muslims as they were not going to mosque for prayer due to lockdown from more than one month and azaan is in no way a hurdle in fight against coronavirus.
Very sad, an unconstitutional order against the freedom of fundamental right.