Mumbai, April 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Wednesday submitted a formal letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, demanding an immediate halt to what he termed "illegal appeasement" and the removal of restrictive guidelines imposed on Hindu religious processions.
He alleged that the police have been imposing “arbitrary rules and restrictions” in the name of mosques, namaz, or unauthorised religious structures during Ram Navami and other Hindu festivals.
In his letter, Somaiya said that over the past few years in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra, the police have enforced “unusual restrictions”, including directing that Hindu religious processions should not pass in front of mosques or must maintain silence while doing so. He called for a review of such practices.
“This time, during the Ram Navami processions in Ghatkopar, Powai, and Chembur, police officers imposed strange restrictions in the name of ‘SOP’ (Standard Operating Procedure) or guidelines. Processions were stopped, citing that it was time for namaz (prayers). Restrictions were imposed to maintain silence within 200–300 metres of a mosque,” Somaiya said.
He further alleged that when the “azaan” is broadcast from mosque loudspeakers, the police often ask organisers of processions or public meetings to switch off their sound systems and maintain silence.
“The police issue orders stating that the procession will not be allowed to pass in front of a mosque. Pressure is applied to change the route, regardless of whether the mosque is authorised or unauthorised. Police impose restrictions on Hindu processions and public events even if the mosque is unauthorised, built on a small area, or is an encroachment on government land under the name of a madrasa. Senior police officers explicitly state that this is the ‘SOP’, citing written or unwritten rulebooks,” he said.
Somaiya also claimed that, in several instances, organisers were threatened by police officials, who cited the existence of such standard procedures.
Referring to complaints received from organisers regarding the Ram Navami Shobhayatra held on March 26, 2026, he said, “On March 26, 2026, the Shri Ram Navami Shobhayatra was stopped for 45 minutes at Bamkhana, Ghatkopar, in the name of ‘namaz’.”
“The organisers have highlighted some key incidents, such as rude behaviour and threats by the DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) when questioned. In Nehru Nagar, a truck along with the speakers was forcibly taken to the police station. There were allegations of insulting language and threats by the ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police). An additional CP reportedly said, ‘If there is namaz six times, you will have to stop six times’,” he added.
Somaiya urged the police to review and rectify these procedures to ensure that religious processions are allowed to proceed without obstruction due to the proximity of mosques or prayer timings.
Source: IANS
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