Thieves steal temple loudspeaker in MP, Muslims replace it

BHOPAL: Over four months after singer Sonu Nigam sparked a controversy by tweeting remarks against the use of loudspeakers for ‘azaan’, Muslims in this town gifted a sound system to a temple after it was stolen a few days ago.

Talking about the move, Saed Khan, local corporator and president of Harda district Wakf committee, said he passed by the Hanuman temple on the outskirts of the town every day.

“Five days ago, thieves broke into the temple and stole the loudspeaker. For the past few days, whenever I passed by the temple, there was no sound of devotional songs. I felt bad and asked the priest of the temple if anyone had brought a new one. When he said no, we bought a new amplifier and gifted it to my Hindu brothers,” he said.

“Even if some people have made controversial remarks about the use of loudspeakers in mosques and temples, I just want to say that in India, people have never objected to such things. We have lived in harmony with azaans and temple prayers. In fact, if there is a break and we don’t get to listen to devotional songs or prayers, we feel something is amiss in our area”, said Khan.

Earlier this month, the Muslims in Harda under te leadership of Khan gave a respectful burial to a dead cow after its carcass remained unattended.

Before this, Harda district has always been in the news for communal tension.

Last year, Right-wing activists belonging to a cow protection group allegedly assaulted a Muslim couple on a train on the suspicion of carrying beef. Police later said it was buffalo meat that was found in another passenger’s luggage.

In September 2013, communal riots broke out in the area after rumours spread that some Muslims had killed a calf.

Five days ago, thieves broke into the temple and stole the loudspeaker. SAED KHAN, local corporator and president of Harda district Wakf committee