Mumbai, June 25:- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has issued a stern warning to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, cautioning him against visiting mosques as part of the ongoing loudspeaker enforcement drive. Pawar said such actions risk provoking communal tensions and could trigger serious law and order concerns across the state.
The remarks were made during a meeting with a delegation of Muslim community leaders at Mumbai’s Sahyadri Guest House. Present at the discussion was Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, alongside leaders including former minister Nawab Malik, MLA Sana Malik, SP leader Abu Asim Azmi, and Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui. The delegation expressed strong opposition to Somaiya’s alleged inspections and police interventions specifically targeting mosques.
Community leaders accused Somaiya of instigating selective enforcement and pressuring police to act disproportionately against Muslim places of worship, warning that such moves were not only provocative but had the potential to incite unrest.
Commissioner Bharti acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that Mumbai Police have already taken down over 1,500 loudspeakers from religious establishments citywide. He emphasized that the department is implementing the Bombay High Court’s order on permissible sound levels—55 decibels during the day and 45 at night—across all religious institutions without discrimination.
Abu Azmi and others, however, criticized what they perceived as biased implementation. In response, BJP Mumbai President Ashish Shelar defended Somaiya, clarifying that the leader had not personally entered any mosque and was operating within legal boundaries.
Despite being part of the BJP-led ruling alliance, Ajit Pawar’s comments signaled a more measured stance, appealing for restraint and sensitivity. His response was viewed as a calculated yet firm move to balance community concerns with governance, reinforcing his image as a leader willing to engage with all sides.
As communal sensitivities remain high in the state, Pawar’s intervention serves as a reminder of the delicate balance leaders must maintain between law enforcement and public sentiment. The issue continues to unfold, and the coming days may determine whether this controversy escalates or finds a more conciliatory path forward.
