Azaan vs Hanuman Chalisa Reaches UP's Aligarh, Administration Cautious

Various right-wing groups like the Hindu Sena have in the last two days joined the ABVP in requesting the district administration to stop the Azaan.

The recent controversy over the use of loudspeakers for prayers has now spilled over to Aligarh in West Uttar Pradesh where the local administration finds itself in a fix trying to maintain peace and communal harmony. RSS-linked student group Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, or ABVP, has started a campaign to stop the Azaan (Islamic prayer) playing over loudspeakers in the city and has asked permission to play the 'Hanuman Chalisa' (prayer for Hindu God Hanuman) by installing loudspeakers at 21 prominent intersections. Some have already started playing the Hindu prayer over loudspeakers from their own houses.

Various right-wing groups like the Hindu Sena have in the last two days joined the ABVP in requesting the district administration to stop the Azaan and allow Hanuman Chalisa to be played at 21 prominent places they have identified.

"We received the petition with the list of 21 places two days ago. We had the said that we will make a decision after consulting our senior officials. We discussed and felt that a solution should be reached through dialogue. This is a new phenomenon that could lead to more difficulties for people. There are people of many faiths living in the city, which could lead to more of such demands,' Rakesh Kumar Patel, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City, Aligarh, told NDTV.

Claiming that there have been positive developments in the talks with those making the demand, Mr Patel said there will be another meeting on Saturday where he is hopeful the issue will be resolved.