Dehradun City Qazi Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi & Former BJP Councillor Aftab Alam Lead Delegation to DM Over Mosque Loudspeaker Permission Issue

Memorandum seeks early decision on pending applications since 2022; calls for lawful, transparent and equal enforcement of noise pollution regulations across all religious places

Dehradun | Nation Pulse 24
A delegation led jointly by Dehradun City Qazi Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi and former BJP Councillor Aftab Alam met Dehradun District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan on Saturday to discuss issues concerning loudspeakers used for the call to prayer (Azan) at mosques.
During the meeting, the delegation submitted a detailed memorandum requesting that any administrative action relating to loudspeakers be carried out strictly in accordance with the law and established legal procedures. The delegation also urged the administration to ensure that mosque management committees or the City Qazi’s office are formally informed before any action is taken so that compliance with prescribed norms can be ensured within the stipulated time.
The memorandum further requested that the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 be implemented uniformly across all religious institutions, without discrimination.
According to the memorandum, more than 20 mosques in Dehradun had submitted applications in 2022 seeking permission for loudspeaker use in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the Uttarakhand High Court, and the State Government. However, despite nearly three years having passed, the applications remain pending, with neither approval nor rejection communicated by the district administration.
The delegation stated that recent police action against loudspeakers at certain mosques was reportedly based on the absence of official permission, even though the concerned mosque committees had already applied within the prescribed time. It argued that administrative action before deciding pending applications is inconsistent with the principles of natural justice, due process, and good governance.

The memorandum requested the District Magistrate to:
Decide all pending loudspeaker permission applications submitted since 2022 at the earliest.
Grant permission to eligible mosques in accordance with the applicable rules and prescribed standards.
Inform mosque management committees if any documents or formalities remain incomplete and provide them an opportunity to comply.
Refrain from removing loudspeakers from mosques without following due legal procedure until pending applications are decided.
Establish a transparent, time-bound, and fair permission mechanism to prevent similar situations in the future.
The delegation also assured the administration that all mosque management committees would fully comply with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, court directions, and all conditions prescribed by the district administration while continuing to cooperate in maintaining public peace, law and order, and communal harmony.
Among those present were social activist Khurshid Ahmad, Latafat Hussain, President of Tanzeem Rahnuma-e-Millat, Ameer Ahmad Qureshi, Secretary of Jama Masjid Paltan Bazaar, Haji Dilshad Qureshi, Master Mustaqeem Hasan, Tauseef Khan, Mufti Tahir Qasmi, Israr Ahmad, and several other community representatives.
Notably, this is regarded as the first major public initiative undertaken by City Qazi Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi after assuming office.