Loudspeakers have been removed from eight mosques in Mumbai after a months-long row over their legality and compliance with sound pollution regulations. Locals allege police did not issue any warnings or conduct noise tests.
Residents said that although the loudspeakers were in accordance with the 45-56 decibel upper limit as set by the Bombay High Court, they were removed without any inspection or notification. “This is unfair,” they alleged.
Videos of the sudden police action have emerged, showing officers misbehaving and threatening Muslims for standing in their way.
Bombay HC order on loudspeakers
On January 23 this year, the Bombay High Court passed an order stating that the use of loudspeakers was not an essential part of any religion and instructed the Maharashtra police to ensure compliance with relevant noise pollution regulations.
The bench comprising Justice AS Gadkari and Justice SC Chandak asked the state government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels.
Mumbai police order
In the aftermath of the Bombay HC order, Mumbai police issued a notice on May 11 directing all religious sites to relinquish loudspeakers. “Any stakeholders interested in installing loudspeakers would then have to acquire a license, granted after providing documents such as property cards, legal construction proofs, and waqf registration papers,” the order read.
This story was originally published in siasat.com. Read the full story here.
