Allahabad university news: AU VC lodges complaint against ‘azaan on mic’ disrupting sleep

PRAYAGRAJ: The vice-chancellor of Allahabad University, Prof Sangita Srivastava complained to Prayagraj district magistrate Bhanu Chandra Goswami about high decibel ‘azaan on mic’ at a mosque in Civil Lines near her residence disrupting her sleep and affecting her health.

In her letter to the DM, also sent to the divisional commissioner, IG range and SSP, the V-C referred the judgment passed by the Allahabad High court in PIL No 570 of 2020 (Afzal Ansari and 2 others Versus state of UP and 2 others) and demanded action.

On Wednesday, when a joint team of police and district administration approached the mosque management committee, the latter changed the direction of the loudspeakers and turned the volume down.

Prayagraj DM Bhanu Chandra Goswami told TOI, “The vice-chancellor had sent a letter demanding action on use of loudspeakers for azaan. Necessary action has been taken on the complaint as per rules and regulations.”

In her letter, the VC wrote, “This is to bring to your kind notice that every day at 5.30am, my sleep is disturbed due to loud azaan on mic from the nearby mosque.”

She added the noise wakes her up and she is unable to sleep after that even after trying hard. “This causes headaches throughout the day and impacts my work,” she said.

The letter further reads, “An old adage says ‘Your freedom ends where my nose begins’. This holds true here. I am not against any religion, caste or creed. They may perform the azaan without the mike so that others are not disturbed. Before Eid also they announce sehri on loudspeaker at 4am. This practice also creates disturbance to other people. The Constitution of India envisages a secular and peaceful co-existence of all communities, which needs to be practised in letter and spirit.”

Kindly refer to the appended judgement passed by the Hon’ble High Court, Allahabad in PIL No 570 of 2020 (Afzal Ansari and two others versus state of UP and 2 others), she added.

When police and administration officials approached the mosque management, the committee turned down the volume of loudspeakers, brought down their number from four to two and changed their direction so that there is not any inconvenience to people of the locality.