A political controversy arose in Uttar Pradesh when Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Kamal Akhtar proposed allowing loudspeakers during Iftar and Sehri in Ramzan, drawing strong reactions from leaders of various parties. Akhtar argued during Zero Hour that since the state observes festivals of all religions, similar permissions should be granted for mosque announcements during Ramzan. In response, SP National General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav accused the government of discrimination, alleging deliberate actions against certain sections of society.
SP MLA Atul Pradhan emphasized the importance of harmony, advocating for mutual respect and cooperation among different communities. He highlighted the need for unity and understanding, urging respect for each other’s sentiments during religious observances. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap stressed the adherence to Supreme Court directives on loudspeaker usage, citing the necessity to maintain low volumes in compliance with the court’s guidelines.
Adding to the discussion, BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh cautioned against raising demands conflicting with Supreme Court restrictions, suggesting that any desired changes should be pursued through proper legal channels. The Uttar Pradesh government clarified that the tradition of announcing ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’ times predates widespread clock usage but reiterated the importance of following existing Supreme Court regulations on loudspeaker use.
