Karnataka BJP MLA KS Eshwarappa's remarks on "azaan" (a call to prayer from mosque) during a public adress in poll-bound Karnataka's Mangaluru sparked controversy.
"Wherever I go this (Azaan) is a headache for me. No doubt this will end soon as there is a SC judgement. PM Modi asked to respect all religions, but I must ask can Allah hear only if you scream on a microphone?" he said.
"Hindus also pray in temples. We have more faith than them & it's Bharat mata who protects religions. But if you say that Allah listens only if you pray using a microphone, I must question if He's deaf. This issue must be resolved," BJP MLA Eshwarappa further said.
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Azaan row in Karnataka
The former state minister has made similar remarks on azaan earlier as well. Last year, he said, "A solution should be found to address the concerns over the use of loudspeakers in mosques in the state."
The Karnataka High Court refused to issue any direction to mosques in response to a PIL that claimed that contents of azaan hurt sentiments of those from other faiths. The plea had sought a direction to stop mosques in the state from using the "contents of azaan" through loudspeakers.
The court, however, directed the state government to ensure that loudspeakers and public address systems are not permitted to be used above permissible decibel levels during the night, from 10 pm to 6 am.
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Mosques in Karnataka too had started receiving notices from the police to use their loudspeakers within the permissible decibel levels.
The move came after some right-wing outfits launched a campaign demanding shutting down of such loudspeakers, saying they caused disturbance for people living in surrounding areas.
In Bengaluru alone, about 250 mosques have received such notices and the mosque authorities have started installing devices that keeps the sound within the permissible level, sources said.
