Karnataka issues guidelines on the usage of loudspeakers | Fusion - WeRIndia

As the intense debate is continuing on the usage of loudspeakers in the country, the Karnataka government banned their usage during the nighttime. The state government yesterday issued a circular banning the usage of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am. The rule came into force with immediate effect.

The government also said that loudspeakers should not be used by anybody during the night unless they obtain written permission from the concerned authorities.

Besides, all existing users of loudspeakers and sound-producing instruments shall obtain written permission from the authorities within 15 days. Otherwise, they should remove loudspeakers and sound-producing instruments voluntarily by the given deadline. If they fail to do so, such systems will be removed by concerned authorities.

Earlier, the Supreme Court prescribed specific noise levels. The court ordered the noise level shall not exceed specific levels where a loudspeaker or public address system is used. The circular quoted this order.

The circular also stated it had been issued under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, which has to be followed strictly.

The debate on the usage of loudspeakers was started in Maharashtra. The MNS Chief Raj Shrikant Thackeray gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3. He warned that MNS workers would play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers if the government failed to do so.

He also asked people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in all areas where Azaan is played on loudspeakers. A case was filed against him for this issue.

After that, the loudspeakers row started in the country. This debate has been continuing in many areas. Many are demanding that the government should implement the apex court’s order.

Recently the Uttar Pradesh government also said that more than 1 lakh loudspeakers had been removed from religious places.

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