Maharashtra: Fresh rules on loudspeakers at religious places soon

State home minister tells mid-day that the state DGP and Mumbai CP have been tasked with framing new guidelines on the use of loudspeakers at places of worship and by individuals

The home department will come out with new guidelines for using loudspeakers at places of worship of all religions later this week. The move comes in the wake of a row over the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s threat to recite Hanuman chalisa to confront mosques that don’t remove the loudspeakers.

State Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil told mid-day, “The Maharashtra DGP and Mumbai commissioner of police (CP) are going to prepare the new guidelines over the use of loudspeakers. We had a meeting regarding this and the new rules will be issued within the next two days.”

“The DGP will frame the new guidelines after discussions with other senior officers of the police force,” he added.

Dilip Walse-Patil, home minister, Maharashtra

According to information available, the guidelines will incorporate the Supreme Court’s directives such as the hours prescribed for not using loudspeakers at all and the decibel levels allowed in different sound zones. Since, as per law, police permission is required to use the sound system, not just at religious places but also at public places, unauthorised use will be detected. Local police stations have been asked to prepare a list of unauthorised ‘players’ in their jurisdiction.

Patil warned individuals and organisations against disturbing law-and-order in the state. “Strict action will be taken against those who create communal rift,” he said.

When asked about the tense situation in twin towns of Achalpur and Paratwada in Amravati district where two communities clashed over hoisting a flag on Sunday night, he said normalcy has been restored. 

‘Keeping a close watch’

The communal tension started brewing across Maharashtra after MNS chief Raj Thackeray, earlier this month, told his workers to chant Hanuman chalisa in front of mosques if the loudspeakers were not removed. He has given the government time until May 3 for the removal of the speakers from mosques.

“The police force is keeping a close watch on the issue, and we have increased patrolling in the city. Mohalla committee meetings were also organised to maintain social harmony,” Joint CP (Law and Order) Vishwash Nangre Patil told mid-day.

According to Mumbai police, four-five minor incidents have been reported across the city so far. Timely intervention and police presence prevented these incidents from turning into serious communal violence, they added.

“So far 63 people have been arrested in different cases. We are keeping a close watch on social media platforms, and our Social Media Lab has deleted more than 3,000 posts that could have fanned communal violence in the city,” the joint CP added.

Raj gets threats

MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar on Monday said that party chief Raj Thackeray has been getting threat calls following his stand on the loudspeakers, and has demanded Z+ security from the state police. Thackeray has asked party workers to lay low till the holy month of Ramzan ends, and intensify the agitation against mosques if loudspeakers are not removed by May 3.  
 
Sources said the Centre will provide Thackeray with protection if the state doesn’t upgrade his security. The MNS chief has planned a tour of Ayodhya on June 5, for which the Uttar Pradesh government is likely to deploy additional security.

It was learnt that Thackeray will meet senior party leaders on Tuesday to review arrangements of Ayodhya visit and the agitation to get loudspeakers removed from mosques.

Nashik CP gets tough

Before the statewide guidelines are issued, Nashik Commissioner of Police Deepak Pandey has used the powers vested with his office to check unauthorised use of loudspeakers and prevent threats issued by the MNS that the party will use high-decibel sound systems to recite Hanuman chalisa in front of the mosques during the five prayers.

The CP told media persons on Monday that mosques have been allowed to use loudspeakers to invite the devotees for prayers. “The exception has been made considering the custom. However, if anyone finds my orders wrong, then he can challenge them in court,” he said. Pandey said the use of loudspeakers within a perimeter of 100 metres from mosques by any other people 15 minutes before and after the five-time namaz will not be allowed, and the violation will be dealt with by law. “There is no ban on reciting Hanuman chalisa, but it should not clash with the azan [call to prayer]. Our permission is must for all. Our priority is to keep social fabric intact.”

However, all religious places including mosques will have to apply for police permission before May 3, said Pandey, adding that the local authorities have been asked to find out the sound zones under which the religious places are situated. 

“After seeking our permission, they will have to follow the decibel norms prescribed for the respective zones,” he said.

Those who don’t seek permission before May 3 will not be allowed to use loudspeakers. 

“Violations will be reported and the culprits will be booked. It’s an offence that invites four months of imprisonment, fine as well as externment from the city limits,” Pandey added.

63
No. of arrested in speaker-related cases

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