“Earlier, loud Azaan used to disturb people’s sleep; now measures have been taken to address it!”: Jaiveer Singh, Minister for Culture and Tourism, UP

(Azaan refers to the loud public call inviting Muslims for Namaz/prayer.)

Firozabad (UP) – “Every person has the right to practise his or her own religion; however, it must remain within the framework of rules. Earlier, the excessively loud sound of Azaan used to disturb people’s sleep; but after remedial measures were introduced, sound is now used only within prescribed limits,” Jaiveer Singh, Uttar Pradesh’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, said. He was speaking at a traders’ conference organised in Shikohabad on issues relating to law and order and noise pollution. Political and social reactions have begun emerging regarding his statement.

🕌🎶 “If you listen with love, both Bhajan and Azaan will sound beautiful!” – Maulana Yaqoob Abbas, reacting to UP minister Jaiveer Singh

If that is truly the spirit, then why are tensions and attacks reported when Aarti is heard during Namaaz, or when Hindu religious… pic.twitter.com/05gUWn3Zy0

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) May 19, 2026

If heard with affection, both Bhajans and Azaan will sound pleasant: Maulana Yasoob Abbas

Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas reacted sharply to Jaiveer Singh’s statement. He said, “I wish to tell Minister Jaiveer Singh not to look at things from only one perspective. If you are looking at Azaan, then also look at the sounds of morning Bhajans and temple bells. If Azaan disturbs people’s sleep, then Bhajans played on loudspeakers in temples also affect people’s sleep.” (Till now, hardly anyone has been heard objecting to temple Bhajans in such a manner. This reflects the attitude ‘speak falsely, but persistently’, displayed by the Maulana! – Editor) He further said, “It is not proper to maintain a discriminatory attitude towards religious traditions in society. It is unfortunate that matters are being viewed with double standards.” (By this, has the Maulana not indirectly admitted that Azaan does disturb public sleep? In reality, clerics of a religion said to preach peace should themselves have voluntarily addressed this issue. – Editor) “If viewed with affection, you will find ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is Great) pleasant, and temple Bhajans pleasant too. When devotional songs are heard from temples in the morning, the mind experiences peace. Songs such as ‘Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi Bhagwan, kitna badal gaya insaan’ convey messages of humanity and social harmony.” (The Shia cleric should also explain what message is conveyed through Azaan. – Editor)

Editorial Perspective

If this is so, then why are attacks carried out when Hindus play Aarti during Namaz time or when Hindu religious processions pass in front of mosques?