Azaan on loudspeaker ‘not fundamental right’, India’s Allahabad High Court rules

The Allahabad High Court in India today (May 6, 2022) ruled that delivering azaan on loudspeakers is not a fundamental right, ANI reported.

The court made this remark while dismissing a petition filed by one Irfan of Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh state who sought permission to play azaan using loudspeakers in the Noori Masjid, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

"The law has now been settled that use of loudspeaker from mosque is not a fundamental right. Ever otherwise a cogent reason has been assigned in the impugned order. Accordingly, we find that the present petition is patently misconceived, hence the same is dismissed," said the court.

The court further said although azaan is an integral part of Islam, delivering it through loudspeakers is not a part of the religion.

"Azaan is an integral part of Islam but giving it through loudspeakers is not a part of Islam," a bench headed by Justice BK Vidla and Justice Vikas said.

Ruling on the petition, the two-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court noted that there had been previous instances where courts have ruled that the call for prayer on a loudspeaker is not a fundamental right.