Ban loudspeakers at shrines, SC urged

Journalist-turned-activist Vineet Narain has moved the Supreme Court seeking a ban on use of loudspeakers at religious places that recently led to communal violence in Uttar Pradesh.

Journalist-turned-activist Vineet Narain has moved the Supreme Court seeking a ban on use of loudspeakers at religious places that recently led to communal violence in Uttar Pradesh.

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In his public interest litigation (PIL), filed through advocate Vivek Narayan Sharma, Narain specifically mentioned the communal riots that broke out at Kanth town of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh due to use of loudspeakers.

He contended that installation of loudspeakers at religious places was causing communal violence leading to deaths and hence it violated people’s right to life guaranteed under the Constitution. The PIL is fixed for a hearing on August 25 before a bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha.

“That the issue, relating to loud-speakers installed at religious places of different religions, has for decades given way to communal disharmony, riots and murders of innocents. This has brought disrepute to our nation for a very long time,” the PIL stated.

Narain suggested use of loudspeakers be completely stopped at all religious places namely temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches. The ban would also control noise pollution, “as usually it is found that loud-speakers installed at religious places emanate sound much higher than the prescribed limits and loudspeakers are mostly used irresponsibly at most of the religious places.”

“Originally, all religious places were the main source to attain peace, calm, tranquility and meditation. The purpose of bhajan / aarti, namaz, shabad is to enlighten the human soul and to establish high moral values, compassion and courage in the human. The same should be restored by this honourable court to increase human worth and safety and for respectful co-existence of all religions in India,” Narain said in his PIL.