The Observer
An IIJNM publication
Vol. 21, Issue 24
Ban not only for Azaan but for all the religious institutions in the state, says CM Basavaraj Bommai | Credit: Saumyangi Yadav
Muslims upset at row happening during Ramzan
By Saumyangi Yadav
A
midst increasing communal disharmony in Karnataka, a debate over azaan has sprung up where right-wing extremist groups have called for a ban on the use of loudspeakers in mosques during prayer. They say loud noise from loudspeakers disturbs people who live near mosques. When The Observer reached out to some of these people, they said it is not really a problem for them. Anusha P, a political researcher who works at an office beside Modi Masjid on Queens Road, said: “I work here from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the loudspeakers do not bother me. Azaan is played 2-3 times while I am in the office and it doesn’t really affect my work. There are festivals of other religions like Ganesh Chaturthi where they take out loud processions. It doesn’t make any sense to target just one community.” Even people who have lived in the area for a long time agree the
loudspeaker volume is not very loud. A housekeeper who has been working in a house near Modi Masjid for over six years said: “They play the azaan on medium volume. I do not think it is a nuisance to anyone.” Recently, a report by The Mint quoted Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai as saying: “It is not only for azaan; it is for all speakers. So we will take a call.” Mohammed Ashraf, secretary at Char Minar Masjid, Shivajinagar, is bothered about the issue happening amid the Ramzan month. He said that they will follow court orders if something comes up. “We pray five times a day starting from 5 a.m.” In March 2021, the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf issued a circular to all the mosques and dargahs in the state prohibiting the use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Recent reports say Bengaluru city Police Commissioner Kamal Pant has instructed jurisdictional police to take legal action against violators. The police have started issuing notices to all religious places, including mosques and dargahs for defying the order on noise pollution. ►Continued on page 3
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Students unhappy with the state’s decision to transfer Ukraine-returned medical students | P2
Azaan is not a problem, say people living near mosques
Thursday, April 7, 2022
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Congress blasts al-Qaeda for its praise of Muskan over hijab row Maken says BJP raising non-issues to divert attention
By Tina Freese
T
he Congress on Thursday condemned the remark of the al-Qaeda on the hijab controversy in Karnataka. “The al-Qaeda is a terrorist organisation; it is a banned organisation. It has no business commenting on our country’s internal affairs.… We condemn the statements of the organisation,” AICC general secretary Ajay Maken said at a press conference in Bengaluru. Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-
Maken blamed BJP for the fuel price hike | Credit: Shubhangi M. Zawahiri had, in a video, commented on the hijab row praising Mandya student Muskan, who chanted “Allah hu Akbar” when she was hounded by a group of men on her college campus. Calling her “a noble lady”, al-Zawahiri asked the Muslims of India to react to the “oppression”. Maken blamed the BJP government for the inflation and
Mumbaikars decide to keep their masks on
By Swarali Bodas
C
onfused whether the XE variant of Covid has entered their city, Mumbaikars have decided to play it safe by continuing to wear masks. The first case of the XE variant in India was reported in Mumbai on Wedneday, April 6, the Bruhanmumbai Municipal Corporation said. The Union Health Ministry denied this and said present evidence does not suggest that it is the new variant. Mausam Gala, 22, a marketing associate from Mumbai, thinks that since almost everybody is vaccinated, there is no reason to worry. “People have become conscious about their health, so even if this variant is a big deal, we should be able to fight it,” Arun Harchandani, a working professional, spoke about the spirit of Mumbai and Mumbaikars. “We will go with the flow and accept all of the challenges that come our way.” The World Health Organization has said that the latest mutant may be more transmissible than the previous ones. However, this finding requires further confirmation. XE is a “recombinant”, a
mutation of the BA1 and BA2 Omicron strains, said the UK’s Health Security Agency. Recombinant mutations emerge when a patient is infected by multiple variants of Corona virus. “I think government’s decision (to remove all Covid restrictions) is valid,” said Manali Sawant, a law intern at the Bombay High Court. “But people in the city are still paranoid. It isn’t mandatory, but everyone at the High Court is wearing masks.” People taking precautions is better than them being careless. Sanket Garud, a law graduate from Mumbai, informed The Observer: “Cases in China and Europe are rising again. It is only a matter of time that spread begins in India. I believe the Mumbai administration has worked efficiently so far, but we should be careful and avoid unnecessary large social gatherings.” ►Continued on Page 2
fuel price increase hike in the country. The government is using communal issues like the halal and azaan row to divert people’s attention from real issues. Maken urged the BJP to not polarize people as it will affect businesses in the state. “Why do you think these issues are coming up now? . . .They want to divert people’s attention from their failure; they want to divert from fuel price hikes, corruption and unemployment.” He announced a nationwide protest against spiralling motor fuel prices. He blamed the BJP for the rising prices. “We have to tell the citizens that we have launched a nationwide protest against the Modi government,” tina.f@iijnm.org
News Briefs
Arms, ammo seized on International Border The BSF seized arms and ammunition on the Akhnoor International Border in a special operation. The operation was launched near the sub-sector Pargwal. The recovered arms included an AK47 rifle, 20 AK-47 pistols and 40 pistols from smugglers.
Jo Wilfried Tsong will retire after French Open
Former world No. 5 tennis player Jo Wilfried Tsong has announced he will retire after the 2022 French Open. It will be the 15th time the player will be competing as a professional at the tournament. He is an 18-time tour titelist and has also won as many as 467 matches.
Delhi-Moscow AI flight cancelled over insurance
Air India has cancelled its twicea-week flight from Delhi to Moscow as it was unable to secure insurance coverage because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threats involved. All the Air India flights are insured by international agencies. Air India is among the few carriers to use Russian’s airspace after the country launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine.