Letter Petition To Allahabad HC By Member Of Parliament Enunciates Ban On "Azaan" In Ghazipur District, U.P.

Afzal Ansari, Member of Parliament, Ghazipur District UP has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court highlighting the prohibitory order banning "Azaan" or "call for prayer" by the District Magistrate. 

He adds that everyone has been diligently following the Coronavirus induced lockdown in the entire country and prayers and gathering in Mosques or any other religious places continue to be prohibited but "Azaan was/is allowed in every mosque throughout the state of U.P. and other parts of the country.

The letter, put forth as PIL before the Chief Justice, stipulates that all of a sudden from April 24, 2020 onward, it was found that the "Azaan" from mosques is prohibited by local Administration and police and that if anyone "dared to make Azaan", they would be booked under "National Security Act".

Further, Ansari puts forth that many people from his constituency approached him against this "draconian action" and that "several FIRs have been lodged against some imams of the Mosques without any rhyme or reason".

The letter also enunciates that when the people asked for a written order from authorities in this regard, they were told that the District Magistrate and Superintendent of police had given this order.

"The people of my constituency contacted me and wanted my help against this draconian action. I have tried to contact several authorities including District Magistrate and Superintendent of police. There is no response. Everyone is talking about some oral order but its source and authority is not disclosed. No written order for banning "Azaan" is being shown" the letter states.

In light of this, the MP enunciates that since it is "Ramadan is the month of prayers" and "this time everyone has decided to pray from their respective home", Azaan is essential as it alerts people about the time of prayer, especially at the time of "Sahree and Iftaar".

Praying for directions from the court to allow Azaan by only one person, i.e. the "Moazzin" from the respective mosques within the district, the petitioner avers that doing so would protect Fundamental Rights of people of Ghazipur.

The letter reads,

"As a democratically elected representative of the people of ghazipur, it is my duty to hear the grievances of my electorate. I am addressing the present letter on behalf of my electorate for enforcement of their Fundamental Right emanating from Article 14, 21, 25 of the Constitution of India" 

Click Here to download the letter

[Read Letter]