Rampur: A communal dispute erupted in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, after a mosque used loudspeakers to announce Iftar — the evening meal marking the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. Members of a Hindutva group objected to the announcement, calling it a "new tradition" and subsequently filed a formal complaint with the police.
In response, officers from the Tanda police station, along with personnel from nearby stations, reached the spot to defuse tensions and restore order. Following the incident, the police arrested nine individuals, including the mosque's imam, citing the introduction of an unapproved religious practice as the reason for the action, as per a report by The Observer Post.
How the Loudspeaker Announcement Sparked Controversy
A dispute erupted at a small mosque in Manakpur Bajaria village, after a loudspeaker was used to announce Iftar on Sunday, March 2. The mosque, built 15-20 years ago, serves around 20 families for daily prayers.
Members of the Hindu community reportedly objected to the announcement, claiming it deviated from established customs, and filed a complaint with the police.
Emergency response unit 112 arrived to manage the situation and temporarily calmed tensions. However, objections continued, prompting the police to arrest nine people, including the mosque’s imam. As per officials, the loudspeaker was also removed from the mosque.
A case has been registered against the arrested individuals, who have now been sent to jail. Additional SP Atul Kumar Srivastava also confirmed the news of the arrests to the publication.
