Students troubled by loudspeakers from a mosque on Hamidia College land in Bhopal !

  • Government complaint filed by the Principal

  • Allegation: Mosque built by encroaching on college land

Mosque on the land of Hamidia College

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) – Pushpalata Chouksey, Principal of ‘PM Shri Excellence College’ (formerly Hamidia College) in Bhopal, has submitted a complaint to the State Government regarding the disturbance caused by Azaan from mosque loudspeakers and alleged encroachment on college property.

1. The Principal has alleged that a mosque was built on land earmarked for the science faculty building by encroaching upon it. In a letter to the Government, she has demanded an official land demarcation of the college premises.

2. Principal Chouksey stated that the Azaan from the mosque disrupts regular classes and exams. The matter was reported to the District Collector of Bhopal, who instructed officials to carry out demarcation.

3. When Aaj Tak news representatives visited the college, librarian Amita Singh pointed out the location of the mosque adjoining the library wall. She revealed that there have been repeated incidents of theft in the library and that police complaints have been filed.

Mosque claimed to be 300 years old

Hafeez Mohammad Farooq, the mosque’s Imam, denied the allegations and claimed that the mosque is approximately 300 years old and not on college land, but on Waqf property. He questioned why only the mosque is being targeted when there is also a temple nearby. He added that the volume is reduced during exams.

BJP and Congress trade accusations

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma supported the Principal, citing violations of Supreme Court guidelines and Madhya Pradesh Noise Control Act. On the other hand, Congress MLA Arif Masood accused the Principal of political motives, stating that the mosque committee had already agreed to reduce the volume of the loudspeakers.

Editorial Perspective

The Government must conduct a thorough investigation and first remove the loudspeakers from the mosque !