The use of mosque loudspeakers in India is restricted for the call to prayer
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW DELHI – Karnataka’s ruling BJP government has allowed 10,889 mosques in the state to use loudspeakers as of Saturday (22/10/2022).
The police department has issued guidelines clearances in this regard under the direction of the state government.
A total of 17,850 requests were submitted by mosques, temples and churches for the use of loudspeakers. Three thousand Hindu temples and 1,400 churches have also obtained permission to do so.
Gulf Today report, Sunday (23/10/2022), the permit is granted for a period of two years. The government collected Rs 450 as a fee.
The ruling BJP government took the decision on the permits after Hindu activists waved rebellion banners against mosques using loudspeakers during the call for prayers, in violation of Supreme Court guidelines. Hindu organizations have requested that the chanting of Hindu gods and goddesses be played from 05:00.
Muslim organizations have called on the leadership of mosques across the state not to flout the rules and to follow state government orders to obtain a license to play the loudspeakers.
Guidelines have also been established for the use of loudspeakers for mosques, temples and churches. The speakers can only be played between 06:00 and 22:00.
The loudspeakers must be broadcast within the decibel limit. It has been made mandatory to adopt equipment controlled in decibels.
Meanwhile, in April 2022
As many as 11,000 loudspeakers have been removed from religious places till Wednesday evening (27/4/2022), following a directive from the government of Uttar Pradesh, India.
A total of 10,923 speakers were removed from various religious sites in the state and the volume of 35,221 speakers was denied within required parameters.
Uttar Pradesh State Home Ministry as reported by Gulf News on Friday (4/29) has abolished the use of loudspeakers in eight areas of the state including Agra, Meerut, Bareilly, Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.
Out of the total, the Home Ministry removed 2,395 loudspeakers and lowered the volume of 7,397 loudspeakers from religious sites in Lucknow area, followed by Gorakhpur and Varanasi areas.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2022/10/22/government-allows-use-of-loudspeakers-in-10889-mosques-in-karnataka
