Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy compares Azaan with firecracker noise, sparks row

Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy has stoked a fresh controversy by comparing noise created by firecrackers with Azaan.

"Every Diwali fights start over noise pollution from crackers. A few days in a year. But no fight about Azaan over loudspeakers at 4.30 AM!," Roy said in a series of tweets.

Stating that the silence of the 'secular' crowd over noise pollution by Azaan perplexes him, he added, "Loudspeakers are not prescribed in Quran or any Haadis."

"The Muezzin is supposed to shout Aazan from the minarets, which is why the minarets are there! Use of loudspeakers, this is contrary to Islam!," he added.

Every Diwali fights start over noise pollution from crackers. A few days in a year. But no fight about Azaan over loudspeakers at 4.30 AM!

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) October 17, 2017

Actually this silence of the 'secular' crowd over noise pollution by Azaan perplexes me. Loudspkrs are not prescribed in Quran or any Haadis

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) October 17, 2017

Roy's comment comes at a time when the West Bengal government has imposed restrictions



on the bursting of firecrackers.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) said the 90 decibel sound limit on firecrackers will be in force during Diwali celebrations all over the state till 10 pm. After 10 pm bursting of firecrackers will not be allowed.

"The so-called secular crowd rundown the noise pollution caused by crackers saying that it harms the heart patient and therefore these things should be banned. They don't see the same things about the Azaan that broadcast over loudspeakers around 4.30 in the morning. Why this double standard? I feel very sad about this but the reason is vote bank politics," Roy told .

Earlier also, Roy had raised his voice against the ban on firecrackers and said he was not happy with the prohibition.

"As a Hindu, I am unhappy with the decision of the court, as Diwali is an all India festival and probably, the most important Hindu festival and bursting crackers is a part of it," Roy had said.

The Supreme Court had on October 9 imposed a blanket ban on sale of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR in the run-up to Diwali to check the alarming pollution level.