The police have started issuing notices to religious places for defying the High Court (HC) order on noise pollution.
In the wake of the campaign against azaan by Hindu activists, Kamal Pant, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, has instructed jurisdictional police to take legal action against violators and ensure law and order .
“As part of the awareness drive, several mikes have been seized in the past from religious places for defying the court order and the police have booked cases under appropriate sections. The drive will continue now to monitor the prescribed decibel levels, and action will be taken against violators,” Mr. Pant said .
According to police sources, notices have also been issued to all the parties concerned from the pollution control board. However, when contacted, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials refused to acknowledge the notices or comment on the issue.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the use of loud speakers/public address systems is restricted “except after obtaining written permission from the authority.”
It is not allowed at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. except in closed premises for communication within - auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.
“The State Government may subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loud speakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10 p.m. to midnight on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding 15 days in all during a calendar year,” the rules add.
It may be recalled that six months ago, the south division police had launched a special drive and seized microphones, booked cases and issued notices to mosques, temples, and other places of worship for using loud speakers in the early hours, causing disturbance .
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in and around religious places, including mosques and temples in and around the city, in the wake of Hindu activists launching a campaign against azaan - the call for prayers. Police personnel have been deployed at all the religious places to ensure that the HC order on noise pollution should not be violated .
The police, at their jurisdictional level, organised peace meetings with religious leaders of both communities to inform them about the HC order.
However, Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik has warned the Government to remove microphones from all the mosques, failing which, he claimed that the protest would be intensified . The members of Hindu outfits are planning to sing bhajans in temples in the early hours to counter the morning azaan.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Karnataka Government is implementing the High Court order regulating the decibel level of loudspeakers in mosques.
“The High Court order is not being implemented by force. Everything has to be done by holding meetings with organisations...from police stations to district level,” he said.
“You all know… all these issues are old. The orders were issued in 2001 and 2002. We have not issued any new order. The High Court order clearly mentioned about the decibel level to be maintained. Orders have been issued to purchase decibel meters at the district level.”
The Chief Minister categorically said no society or organisation would be allowed to disturb peace and harmony in Karnataka. “All people are equal in the eyes of the government,” he said.
