Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Friday announced that he and other opposition legislators would move the Calcutta High Court against the removal of loudspeakers from several mosques in West Bengal, alleging that the action unfairly targets a particular religious community.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the State Assembly, Banerjee said the petition would be filed by next Friday after consultations with legal experts.

We have raised the issue before the Chief Minister. Religion is an integral part of people's lives, and we will approach the High Court after consulting our legal team, Banerjee said, accompanied by Opposition Chief Whip Akhruzzaman.

The controversy follows the removal of loudspeakers from several mosques in compliance with earlier guidelines issued by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board regarding noise pollution. The move has triggered a political debate, with some minority representatives alleging that a particular religion is being selectively targeted.

Banerjee said the opposition would argue before the court that if restrictions on the use of loudspeakers are implemented under existing laws and Supreme Court guidelines on noise pollution, they should be enforced uniformly across all religious institutions without discrimination.

The issue was also raised before Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday by three minority MPs of the NCPI, who urged that no single religious community should be singled out while enforcing noise pollution regulations. They requested that any legal restrictions be applied equally to all places of worship.

Banerjee also said that the opposition discussed the issue of electoral delimitation with the Chief Minister during the meeting. Referring to concerns over alleged illegal immigration and citizenship-related issues, he said action should be taken against illegal infiltrators in accordance with the law, but citizens should not face discrimination on the basis of religion.

He added that the proposed petition would also raise concerns over protecting the constitutional rights of citizens and advocate for the establishment of regional tribunals to ensure fair and accessible adjudication of such matters.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh