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The Karnataka State Wakf Board has issued a circular restricting the use of loudspeakers in the state’s mosques and dargahs between 10 PM and 6 AM.
In a circular dated March 9, 2021, the board cited the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and said that loudspeakers used during daytime shall adhere to ambient air quality standards in respect of noise. The circular was issued by the board’s Chief Executive Officer to the managements of the mosques and dargahs in the state.
The managements were instructed to use loudspeakers only for azan and important announcements such as death, timing of burial, and sighting of the moon, during daytime.
The circular added that owing to the increasing use of loudspeakers, generators and public address systems, the increasing ambient noise level around several mosques and dargahs has an ill-effect on the health and psychological well-being of people.
The circular noted that it was “heartening” that a few of the mosques were adhering to the rules scrupulously. It stated that “paramount importance” is attached by Islam to harmonious and sustainable protection of natural environment.
Congregational namaz, Friday sermons, religious, and socio-cultural and knowledge-based functions shall be held with speakers installed on the religious premises. Noise governing apparatus may be installed in the institution in consultation with local environment officers. No sound-emitting fire-crackers shall be burnt in or around the mosque or dargah, the circular added.
The circular also asked the managements to discourage beggary on the premises and instead organise counselling or philanthropic measures.
The issue concerning the use of loudspeakers by mosques has been raised several times over the past years across the country. Last year, the Mumbai police had issued a notice to a woman for requesting neighbouring mosque authorities to lower the volume of the loudspeaker that blared the azan. The woman, identified as Karishma Bhosale, had visited a nearby mosque to convince the authorities to lower the volume of the azan that blared through a loudspeaker installed right in front of her window. Instead, she was heckled by the mosque authorities and was issued a notice by the police.
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