On March 3, The Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University, Professor Sangita Srivastava wrote a letter to district authorities to ban the use of loudspeakers in Lal Masjid in the civil line area of Prayagraj.
The letter came into light this week when it was widely circulated on various social media platforms.
Sangita Srivastava wrote and alleged that her sleep is disturbed by the loud Azaan performed at a nearby masjid. “Everyday at about 5.30 am, my sleep is disturbed due to loud Azaan done on the loudspeaker in the masjid. The sleep disturbed does not resume even after trying very hard. This also results in a headache throughout the day, causing losses in work hours,” the letter read.
She further cited a last year’s Allahabad High Court order where the court said no religion advocates the use of loudspeakers for worship. The order came as a petitioner challenged an administrative order in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur that banned the use of loudspeakers for Azaan.
She said that, I am not against any religion, caste or creed. They may perform the Azaan without the use of loudspeaker so that others are not disturbed. Even before Eid, they announce Sehri on the loudspeaker at 4 am. This practice also creates disturbance to other people, she added.
The masjid administration confirmed that they shifted the loudspeaker and reduced its volume after being contacted by the district administration.
Allahabad University student leader Akhilesh Yadav, who is the state president of the National Students Union of India described it as a publicity stunt.
He added that the VC used the official letterhead to complain about a personal issue. There are lot of other important issues going on in the campus but her focus is not on the campus, she is busy in solving her personal issues, the print reported.
Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas released a statement where he said the VC ought to have also complained about the morning aarti and Kirtan performed by Hindus. The cleric asked the VC to take her complaint back. He said that such complaints by someone with such a high post is not good. The morning Azaan takes only two to three minutes, he added.
However, Srivastava’s letter has come under criticism from several sections too.