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New Delhi, April 19
Amidst the clashes in Delhi over two communities objecting to the chants during a Shobha Yatra and the prayer time in mosques, the Nashik Police issued a directive stating that no one will be allowed to play bhajan or songs on loudspeaker near the mosque before and after Azaan.
The directive was issued by Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey that stated that no one will be allowed to play bhajan or songs on loudspeaker within 15 minutes span before and after the call of Azaan in the radius of 100 meters of any mosques that appears under the jurisdiction of Nashik police commissionerate.
With this Nashik police becomes the first commissionarate to put an order in writing about the use of loudspeakers amidst the controversy of the use of loudspeakers at the religious sites.
Pandey also issued a directive to religious places in the city instructing them to take permission for usage of loudspeakers by May 3 failing which legal action will be taken against those violating the rule which includes being “externed or detained by police”.
The order issued by the Nashik Police Commissioner read: “Every church, temple, gurudwara and mosque will have to file an application at Nashik police commissionerate seeking permissions to use loudspeakers. This order will come into effect from 3 May 2022.”
Pandey said, “Giving azaan is identified as a customary right and if any feels that this right is coming in the way of legal right that person is requested to appeal in court and if the court approves then present the order copy before the police after which necessary changes shall be made.”
The state home minister Dilip Walse Patil held a meeting with Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the approach of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on the issue.
Patil further told the media that the state DGP Rajnish Seth and Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey would meet to draft guidelines over the use of loudspeakers in the state.
The directive was in response to an “ultimatum” given by MNS president Raj Thackeray that repercussions would follow if speakers on mosques were not removed by May 3.
The Maharashtra Police will go by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000. As per the Act, there are specific sections related to the use of loudspeakers and public address systems. The same rules will be used to draft a policy to be adopted by the government as a SOP in connec with the use of loudspeakers in Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth stated that the police will go by the rules and act defined and take action against anyone violating the rules. Amidst the ongoing opposition to the use of loudspeakers and possible threats of violence, the Maharashtra Police are prepping up to ensure the law and order is in place and a policy is rolled out soon.
