Mumbai Police clear ‘all directional loudspeakers' from religious structures across city
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday asserted that the city is now entirely free of directional loudspeakers after its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures. Police commissioner said that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals.(Unsplash/representational)
"All loudspeakers from religious structures have been removed. Mumbai is now loudspeaker-free from all religious structures," Bharti told PTI.
The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community had not been singled out and stressed that the operation was conducted methodically, in line with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive for proper and non-arbitrary action.
"We engaged in deliberations with community and religious leaders and also political party leaders and prevailed upon them," Bharti explained, highlighting the collaborative approach taken before implementing the measures.
This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules.
The high court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion.
Commenting about the scale of the operation, the police chief said, "We have removed around 1,500 directional loudspeakers from religious structures across the city. The police will also ensure that such loudspeakers are not put up again."
While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals.
The high court, in its order, had noted that noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers.
Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city, and obviously, there were persons of different religions in every part of the city, the court had said.
The court order was passed on a petition by two housing associations from suburban Kurla — Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. — alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area.
The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'Azaan,' disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Cong MP denies adoption of 3-language policy under previous MVA govt
'We are not against the Hindi language, but we will not tolerate its forced imposition on Maharashtra,' Gaikwad said. The former state school education minister also refuted claims that the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, in which Congress was an ally, had accepted the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Mumbai, Jun 29 (PTI) Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Sunday accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of launching a false propaganda campaign to undermine public resistance against its alleged 'anti-Marathi' agenda and push for the imposition of Hindi. The government's move to introduce Hindi from Class 1 has faced stiff resistance from opposition parties. The row erupted after the government recently issued an amended order stating Hindi will 'generally' be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught online. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has asked his party workers to burn the government resolution (GR) on Hindi language in state schools on Sunday, a day before the Maharashtra legislature's monsoon session is set to begin. Maharashtra minister Uday Samant on Friday said the policy of making Hindi compulsory from Class 1 in the state schools was approved during Uddhav Thackeray's tenure as the chief minister under the MVA government. 'As Maharashtra unites against the BJP's Hindi agenda, the ruling party and its allies are spreading deliberate misinformation and citing false references to break this unity and suppress the rising voices,' Gaikwad alleged in a statement. She refuted claims that the previous MVA government had accepted the three-language formula under the NEP 2020. 'The Dr Raghunath Mashelkar Committee being cited was not appointed by the School Education Department. It was meant to examine NEP provisions related to the Higher and Technical Education Department, not school education,' Gaikwad said. 'It is unfortunate that the then Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant is now contributing to this confusion,' she added. Gaikwad said during her tenure as school education minister, several aspects of the NEP were found to be against Maharashtra's interests. 'Accordingly, various study groups were formed under the Commissioner of Education to assess policy impacts on school education. A government resolution (GR) to this effect was issued on June 24, 2022,' she said. Rejecting allegations that the MVA government accepted the three-language formula, Gaikwad said, 'This is completely untrue. This government is resorting to falsehoods to deflect from its own decisions.' Gaikwad, who was the school education minister in the MVA government, said, 'We passed the legislation making Marathi compulsory in all schools, across all mediums, boards and managements, at least up to Class 8.' A GR was issued on June 1, 2020, and a committee was formed for its implementation on September 30, 2020, she said. Gaikwad also said the school education department had allotted land at Charni Road in Mumbai for a proposed Marathi Bhavan, a cultural centre for the promotion of Marathi. 'That project too has been stalled by this government,' the Mumbai Congress chief claimed. 'There's a limit to how fast and far one can lie. The BJP is working systematically to weaken the Marathi language in its own homeland,' she alleged. Gaikwad further criticised the state's unconditional acceptance of the NEP. 'Despite our warnings, the Shinde government (previous Mahayuti dispensation) bowed to Delhi and signed a written agreement accepting the NEP as it is, just to receive funds under the PM-Shri scheme. The state is now facing the consequences,' she claimed. She held former school education minister Deepak Kesarkar, current minister Dada Bhuse, and both the past and present Mahayuti chief ministers responsible for it. 'To cover up their (BJP-led Mahayuti government's) fabrications, this rumor is now being deliberately spread that the school education department had adopted the trilingual formula during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. However, this is clearly false,' Gaikwad claimed. The Dr Raghunath Mashelkar Committee, that is being referred to, was not appointed by the school education department, so where does the question of accepting it arise, she asked. PTI MR GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
MP govt takes action against 8 engineers over bridge with 90-degree turn
The newly built ROB in Aishbagh area of the city has become a subject of criticism and ridicule with local residents and netizens questioning its design and wondering how vehicles would negotiate the sharp 90-degree turn. The construction agency and design consultant have been blacklisted, and a committee has been formed to make necessary improvements in the rail over-bridge (ROB), Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said in a post on X on Saturday evening. Bhopal, Jun 29 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended seven PWD engineers and ordered a departmental probe against a retired superintendent engineer for the 'faulty design' of a new rail over-bridge in Bhopal having an unusual 90-degree turn. 'I took cognizance of the serious negligence in the construction of Aishbagh ROB and ordered an inquiry. On the basis of the inquiry report, action has been taken against eight PWD engineers,' CM Yadav said. Seven engineers, including two chief engineers, were suspended with immediate effect while a departmental inquiry will be conducted against a retired superintendent engineer, he said. 'The ROB will be inaugurated only after improvements are made,' the chief minister added. The persons against whom action was taken for the alleged faulty design are chief engineers Sanjay Khande and G P Verma, in-charge executive engineer Javed Shakeel, in-charge sub-divisional officer Ravi Shukla, sub-engineer Umashankar Mishra, assistant engineer Shanul Saxena, in-charge executive engineer Shabana Rajjaq, and retired superintendent engineer M P Singh, said Public Works Department (PWD) additional chief secretary Neeraj Mandloi. The government also blacklisted architect firm M/s Puneet Chaddha and design consultant M/s Dynamic Consultant, he said. The ROB, built at a cost of Rs 18 crore, was aimed at improving the connectivity between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar and the station area with New Bhopal, benefiting some three lakh people. Last week, the PWD formed a committee to find a solution in order to ensure safe movement of vehicles on the bridge. Officials associated with the construction argued that they had no other option but to build the bridge this way given the paucity of land and presence of a metro rail station nearby. If a little extra land is made available, the 90-degree sharp turn can be converted into a curve, the officials had said. PTI MAS KRK GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Punjab gangster Bhagwanpuria's mother, cousin killed: Kin refuse to cremate bodies, allege political conspiracy
Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's family members on Saturday protested at the Batala bypass and blocked the Amritsar-Pathankot national highway by placing the bodies of his mother and cousin on the road, a day after they were shot dead allegedly by a rival gang. The family alleged political motives behind the killings, naming a Member of Parliament and a liquor contractor. The protest was lifted after nearly four hours, only after police assured them of a swift investigation within one week. The bodies will be cremated on Sunday. Police, meanwhile, formed multiple teams to probe the case, and CCTV footage was being scanned to identify and nab the assailants who opened fire on Bhagwanpuria's mother Harjit Kaur (52) and his cousin Karanvir Singh on Thursday night. Harjit Kaur's sister Rajwinder Kaur, sarpanch of Bhagwanpur village, alleged, 'The MP and his son had earlier threatened her family for opposing them in elections and resisting to cooperate in liquor trade activities. My son was threatened multiple times on the road by the MP's son, who warned him not to contest elections or support anyone against them.' Rajwinder Kaur claimed that police protection provided to her son Gagandeep Singh was withdrawn under political pressure. 'Fearing for his life, we sent him abroad,' she said, adding, 'Harjit and Karanvir were identified and targeted after they were seen in Bhagwanpur village.' She alleged, 'The shooters informed their local associates after the killings, saying 'The job is done'.' Police have provided protection to Rajwinder after she lodged a complaint and made public statements. Police officers said that they were examining the allegations and that all individuals named in the complaint would be investigated. Earlier, a social media post claimed that the Bambiha group murdered Harjit and Karanvir. When asked about the claim, police parried the question by saying investigations were underway. However, the Bambiha group denied involvement in the killings in a social media statement, 'Mothers belong to everyone. This was wrong.' No official response has yet been issued by the MP or his family. Harjit, who hails from Bhagwanpur, had been living in Batala in a rented house for the past two to three years. The bike-borne assailants fired upon their car on the Qadian Road in Punjab's Batala, in which Karanvir was declared dead at the Batala Civil Hospital, while Harjit Kaur was referred to a hospital in Amritsar. She later succumbed to the bullet injuries. In March, jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act and shifted from the central jail in Bathinda to Assam's Silchar jail. Bhagwanpuria was already in the custody of the Punjab Police in the 2022 singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case.
