West Bengal Implements New Rules: Regulates Loudspeakers, Prohibits Road Blocking for Religious Events

The West Bengal government, led by the BJP, has issued new directives to police officials to regulate the use of loudspeakers at religious sites and prevent public roads from being blocked during prayers or religious gatherings. These measures were announced during a high-level meeting in Kolkata chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, shortly after he assumed office. The goal is to ensure that sound from loudspeakers stays within religious premises and adheres to legal noise limits, except on special occasions.

During the meeting at Nabanna, the Chief Minister provided around a dozen instructions covering various governance issues. These included strict action against illegal coal mining, sand smuggling, cattle trafficking, crimes against women, and post-election violence cases. Officials emphasized that law enforcement must be carried out impartially and without bias.

A key directive specifically addressed the issue of religious activities obstructing public roads. The government clarified that prayers should be conducted inside designated religious spaces rather than on streets. BJP leader Arjun Singh stated that namaz or any religious gathering should not block roads, noting that public roads cannot be used for such purposes. He added that restrictions would apply to public prayers in certain areas of Kolkata, including Red Road, which has previously hosted large gatherings.

Some religious representatives have responded positively to the guidelines, expressing willingness to comply if the rules are applied fairly to all communities. Nasir Ibrahim, trustee of Nakhoda Mosque, welcomed the measures, stating that no religious program should block roads and that the law must apply equally to everyone without discrimination. Jayant Kushary, Principal of Sarba Bhartiya Prachya Academy, also supported the move, emphasizing that prayer is a personal and spiritual matter and that civic responsibility and public convenience must take precedence.