News Analysis India

Tag: loudspeakers

  • Removal of loudspeakers a tactic to divert attention from real issues in UP: Akhilesh

    By Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Even as loudspeakers were being removed from places of worship across the state in compliance with the UP government’s order, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe calling it a tactic to divert attention from real issues.

    Notably, the state’s law enforcement authorities have removed around 11,000 illegal loudspeakers from places of worship and have reduced the volume of around 35,000 sound amplifiers across the state so far in compliance with the UP government order released recently.

    According to the ADG (law and order), a drive was on to remove illegal loudspeakers mounted on places of worship and reducing the sound of sound amplifiers keeping the guidelines of the court in mind.

    Moreover, the UP government’s action in this connection has drawn praise from Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thakre on Thursday.

    ALSO READ | Jhansi sets an example of harmony as loudspeakers from biggest temple, mosque removed

    Akhilesh, with more than a hint of sarcasm, however said that while the state government had been boasting about the removal of loudspeakers from places of worship, it should also spell out the number of jobs created so far.

    While participating in a programme at village Nagla Moti in his assembly constituency of Karhal, the SP chief said that the removal of loudspeakers from places of worship was a way to digress from real issues.

    “People are suffering from joblessness, procurement of wheat from farmers is not taking place and prices rise are the issues affecting the people of the state and the government is silent on them,” he said while talking to mediapersons.

    “While the law enforcement authorities are busy removing loudspeakers, crime graph is rising in the state. If the cops will be involved in removing loudspeakers, when will they enforce law and order. No one is getting employment in the state. Job opportunities are ending and trade is dying,” said the SP chief.

  • Maharashtra Home minister to meet with key leaders of all parties before decision on loudspeakers

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Wednesday said he will hold a meeting with the key leaders of all political parties and some organisations in the state before a final decision is taken over with the use of loudspeakers.

    He made the comments against the backdrop of a strong pitch made by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the opposition BJP over removing high-decibel loudspeakers installed on mosques.

    Interacting with media persons here, Walse Patil also said that loudspeakers can be installed only after seeking permission from the police as per law.

    He said state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajnish Seth held a meeting with the top officials on the issue of loudspeakers on Tuesday and submitted a report in this regard to him on Wednesday.

    “He (Seth) has submitted a report to me on what situation may arise in the state over the next some days and steps to be taken in that regard,” the minister added.

    Walse Patil, without naming anyone, reiterated that attempts are being made to disturb law and order in the state and added that the government has taken a “serious view” of the same.

    He requested everyone to desist from taking law into their hands, escalating conflicts and dividing communities.

    “Strict action will be taken if anyone does this and peace will be established,” he added.

    Walse Patil said that the Supreme Court had passed a judgement on noise pollution in 2005, and added the state government had issued some government resolutions (GR) in that regard in 2015 and 2017.

    “Instruction will be issued to authorities concerned to implement the same.

    But before taking a final decision in this regard, I will hold a meeting with leaders of key parties in the state to discuss the issue.

    “I will hold discussions with some organisations as well. After that, a final decision will be made,” he added.

    To a question, Walse Patil said MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had made a strong pitch for removing loudspeakers from mosques earlier this month, will also be invited for the meeting.

    Walse Patil, however, did not specify the date when the meeting will be held.

    The minister also said he will welcome if people follow the Supreme Court order (on noise pollution) on their own.

    To another question, Walse Patil said Aurangabad police commissioner has received letters seeking to disallow Thackeray’s planned rally in Aurangabad city, and added that cops will take a call in this regard assessing the local situation.

    Walse Patil also said that there is no reason for the government “to oppose if anyone installs CCTVs at temples or any other place of prayers voluntarily” from a security point of view.

    He was replying to a question on the MNS reportedly demanding installation of CCTVs in mosques.

    Asked whether loudspeakers installed without permissions on temples or mosques will be removed, Walse Patil said that it is not the government’s responsibility “to install or remove loudspeakers”.

    “One who wishes to install a loudspeaker, should do so as per law, seeking police permission.

    Loudspeakers cannot be installed if there is no police permission.

    “Those who install loudspeakers, they will have to follow the SC order and government’s GRs,” he added.

    Replying to a query, the minister said the government has inputs about pockets in the state, where the situation may be tense and added that the police have been asked to be fully prepared to face such situations.

    Walse Patil said there is no need to give importance to Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi Rana’s talk of reading ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s official residence ‘Varsha’ here.

    Raj Thackeray has earlier asked the MVA government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, citing noise pollution, and threatened to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques in a higher volume if his demand was not met.

    The BJP has supported Raj Thackeray’s demand.

  • ‘Azaan’ sound off: Prayagraj IG bans loudspeakers from 10 pm to 6 am days after controversy

    By IANS
    PRAYAGRAJ: The Inspector General of Police, Prayagraj, has asked the district magistrate to ensure a ban on the use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

    This is in response to a complaint filed by Allahabad University Vice Chancellor Sangita Srivastava seeking restrictions on the use of loudspeakers, early morning in mosques.

    The ban will cover use of all loudspeakers and public address systems at public places.

    In a letter to the district magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police in the four districts that fall under the Prayagraj Range, IG K.P. Singh said the officials must implement orders of the Supreme Court and the Allahabad High Court.

    The letter directs the district magistrates and police chiefs to implement a ban on use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in accordance with environment laws and past court orders.

    In her complaint, Prof. Sangita Srivastava has stated that she is ‘forced to wake up too early every day’ due to ‘azaan’ being recited on a loudspeaker. This, she stated, leads to headache through the day and impacts her work.

    ALSO READ | ‘It disturbs sleep, causes headache’: Allahabad University V-C seeks ban on loudspeakers for Azaan

    Sangita Srivastava had sent her complaint to District Magistrate Bhanu Chandra Goswami on March 3.

    In January 2020, the Allahabad High Court had ruled that no religion advocates use of loudspeakers for worship.

    The petitioner had challenged an administrative order in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh where the use of loudspeaker for azaan had been banned.

    The high court had said, “No religion prescribes that prayers are required to be performed through voice amplifiers or by beating of drums. If there is such a practice, it should not adversely affect the rights of others, including that of not being disturbed.”

    Delivering its order, the high court cited a Supreme Court judgment from 2000 in which the court held that the freedom to practice religion was subject to public order, morality and health.

    Prof. Sangita Srivastava had cited the court order in her letter.-