Politics
Siren Controversy: Kerala's Changanassery Municipality Faces Backlash Over Ramzan Fasting Signal
Swarajya Staff
Mar 29, 2023, 11:18 AM | Updated 11:18 AM IST
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Changanassery municipality in Kerala has sparked controversy by issuing an order to sound sirens as a signal for the end of Ramzan fasting. The order requires that sirens be sounded daily at 6:39 pm until 21 April.
The order designates employee Biju to be responsible for sounding the sirens, with health supervisor Sonsunder overseeing the process.
It is worth noting that earlier, the Puthur mosque in Changanassery had requested that the municipality sound the siren to indicate the end of the day's Ramzan fasting.
The Jamaat committee submitted a written request for the same, which was subsequently approved by the municipal secretary.
However, the order faced criticism from various groups. The BJP councillors alleged that the order was passed without any discussion in the municipal council meeting.
Meanwhile, the Hindu Aikya Vedi and the Christian association filed separate petitions in the Kerala High Court to challenge the order. Additionally, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a protest in front of the Changanassery municipality.
During the discussion, both the Congress and CPI(M) councilors did not say anything. However, CPI(M) councilor Usha Mohammad Shaji stated that the municipality has been following the practice of sounding the siren to break the Ramzan fasting for the past few years.
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