Tripura guv objects to azaan 'noise pollution' now

AGARTALA: Tripura governor Tathagata Roy has created yet another controversy by claiming azaan, or Muslim call to prayer, caused noise pollution.

Roy was in news last week for his comments equating the Supreme Court ban on sale of firecrackers in Delhi to a communal conspiracy.

"Every Diwali fights start over noise pollution from crackers. A few days in a year. But no fight about Azaan over loudspeakers at 4.30 am." he wrote in a series of tweets on Tuesday, comparing noise caused by crackers to the call to prayer by mosques over loudspeakers.

"Actually this silence of the 'secular' crowd over noise pollution by Azaan perplexes me. Loudspeakers are not prescribed in Quran or any Haadis," he added and then claimed: "The Muezzin is supposed to shout Aazan from the minarets, which is why the minarets are there. Use of loudspeakers, thus is contrary to Islam."

Last week, Roy tweeted that those supporting the Supreme Court ban on sale of firecrackers in Delhi would target Hindu cremation rites next, triggering strong reactions both in favour of and against his comments. This time, too, the response was polarised.

Later, Roy defended his tweets on azaan, saying he had not compared firecrackers to the call to prayer but had expressed his reservation about the use of loudspeakers for the same.