Jamiat-e-Ulema stages Kolkata protest after HC nod over SIR and mosque loudspeakers

August 13, 2026 | By Admin | Category: Our islamic scholer

Jamiat-e-Ulema stages Kolkata protest after HC nod over SIR and mosque loudspeakers

The West Bengal unit of Jamiat-e-Ulema held a protest march on Tuesday against the alleged disproportionate deletion of 27 lakh names from voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the removal of loudspeakers from mosques. The Calcutta High Court had permitted the procession a day earlier after Kolkata Police initially refused permission. The rally, led by state president Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury, proceeded from Rajabazar to Moulali between 11:30 am and 1 pm. Chowdhury criticised the loudspeaker removals and accused the RSS of turning the issue into a political “drama.” He challenged the Chief Minister to remove larger four-foot speakers if he had the courage, calling the actions a mere show. Jamiat-e-Ulama’s national secretary had sought police permission on August 3 for about 2,000 participants to march from Rajabazar to Esplanade on August 11. Police rejected the request late on the evening of August 7, citing the route’s busy commercial and traffic corridors. The court took exception to the delayed communication, which often forced weekend hearings. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya limited participation to 750 people. He upheld the right to protest under Article 19 of the Constitution, noting that the State could not later add reasons—such as past alleged violence—not mentioned in the original refusal. The court also questioned objections to a weekday procession.