Alka Verma-
Published On: November 17, 2021 at 13:06 IST
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court asked the State Government as well as Police to clarify under which provision of Law, Mosques are using loudspeakers and are conducting public addresses.
Adding to this, the Court also asked that till now what actions have been taken by the Government to curb such type of noise pollution under the Noise Pollution Rules.
“We call upon the Respondent State Authorities to inform as to under what provisions of law, the use of loudspeakers and public address system have been allowed to be used by Respondents 10 to 26 (Mosques) and what action is being taken to restrict the use in accordance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000,” stated the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadan.
The Court made these directions while dealing with a Petition filed by Rakesh P and others wherein, they challenged the validity of using loudspeakers in Mosque.
Advocate Shridhar Prabhu, who was appearing for the Petitioner educated the Court that Rule 5 (3) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 doesn’t provide the permission to use loudspeakers and Public address systems.
Adding to this, it was stated that the Karnataka Waqf Board, which gave permission to install loudspeakers, is not a competent authority to grant permission.
However, the Respondents opposed the Petition and contended that these loudspeakers were installed after taking proper permission.
Adding to this, they also mentioned that a modified silencer has been installed in all these loudspeakers which restricts the sound to go beyond certain limits.
The Respondents also mentioned that they use loudspeakers only between 6 AM and 10 PM.
The Bench after listening to the sides, stated, “If you stay near any main road you will realize how difficult it is to stay near the main road because of these vehicles.”
At last, the Bench directed the concerned Officials to inform what steps are being taken to curb such menace and also directed them to consider all the organizations who are Violating the rules of Noise Pollution Rules, 2000.
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