After the campaign against halal meat sold by Muslim traders, Hindutva organisations have launched a campaign against azan, the call for prayer, from mosques. The campaign and the “silence” of the Karnataka Government on back-to-back campaigns has been criticised by the Opposition parties.
Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik and his associates warned the Government to remove mikes from mosque which, they said, are causing noise pollution. They threatened to intensify protests if the Government failed to act. The campaign would include playing bhajans at temples everyday at 5 a.m. to “counter” the azan.
Reacting to this, City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said that all the places of worship are required to strictly follow the directions of the High Court on noise pollution under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules enacted in 2000.
