SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 11, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Andaman and Nicobar Islands President Dr Arun Kumar Mallik has written to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Aberdeen Police Station, requesting that police personnel maintain a respectful, courteous and professional approach while communicating with religious institutions and their representatives.
In his representation addressed to the SHO, Mallik referred to a communication issued by Aberdeen Police Station to the management of Malabar Masjid, A/ Bazaar, Sri Vijaya Puram, concerning the use of loudspeakers for early-morning announcements and compliance with noise pollution regulations.
The police communication, dated October 30, 2026, referred to complaints regarding the use of external loudspeakers between approximately 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM. It cited the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, relevant Supreme Court directions and provisions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Regulation concerning noise and public order.
Mallik said that while legal provisions must be enforced, police communication with religious institutions and their leaders should maintain appropriate courtesy and sensitivity, irrespective of the religion concerned.
AAP Seeks Consistent Approach Towards Religious Institutions
In his letter, Mallik emphasised that the request should apply equally to institutions and religious leaders belonging to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and other faiths.
He stated that police personnel should use polite, respectful and objective language even when communicating about alleged violations of rules.
Referring to his professional experience in community medicine and public health work with international organisations, Mallik said that cultural awareness, personal courtesy and respect for human rights were important considerations when engaging with religious institutions and community leaders.
He maintained that the enforcement of legal provisions and the respectful treatment of religious representatives should go together.
Mallik Questions Police Response to Earlier Complaints
The AAP leader also questioned what he described as a lack of adequate response from Aberdeen Police Station to several complaints he said had previously been submitted to the authorities.
His representation referred to three matters:
Alleged online harassment and defamation: Mallik referred to an earlier complaint seeking registration of an FIR against two individuals, whom he accused of online harassment and defamation.
Alleged cyber harassment involving another individual: He referred to a separate complaint concerning allegedly derogatory online remarks, cyberbullying and statements he said were damaging to his personal and professional reputation.
Conditions at Tiranga Park: He cited a complaint concerning alleged littering, illegal dumping, stray animal-related nuisance and public drinking at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazaar. He also questioned the role of the concerned municipal authorities and police in addressing these issues.
Mallik argued that the police had not demonstrated a comparable level of urgency in responding to these complaints, while issuing a detailed communication to a religious institution regarding loudspeaker use.
He sought updates on the action taken on the complaints and indicated that he, along with members of the AAP state team, intended to meet the SHO during public visiting hours to discuss the matters.
Representation Copied to Senior Police and Administration Officials
The letter was also marked to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, South Andaman; Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District; Senior Superintendent of Police (CID); Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman; Director General of Police; Chief Secretary; and the Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.
Mallik requested that the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat share a copy of the representation with the Lieutenant Governor.
The letter raises two separate questions: how police authorities communicate with religious institutions while enforcing statutory requirements, and how complaints submitted by citizens and political representatives are assessed and acted upon.
However, the allegations concerning the handling of the earlier complaints have not been independently established through the records provided to Dweep Tulika. The status of the complaints, whether FIRs were registered, and what action was taken by the police remain to be confirmed.