Karnataka on a day-to-day basis is in news on issues pertaining religious sentiments. Post Hijab row, loudspeaker row is the new talk of town.
“What is music for one may be a noise for the other.” The music in private transport can irritate some and may soothe the other. Concerning the public order and decorum of the environment, someone irritated with the music most of the times ignore to listen to it instead of fighting with the one who played the music. Ultimately the freedom of one ends from the point the nose of other begins.
Police Department in Karnataka have issued notices to temples, churches and mosques on speaker decibels. The Central Pollution Control Board based on areas have the prescribed dB limits, with an intention of controlling noise pollution. As per which, the permissible limit in industrial areas is 75 dB during the day and 70 dB at night. During the day and night, it is 65 dB and 55 dB in commercial areas, and 55 dB and 45 dB in residential areas.
The counter actions of playing a Hanuman Chalisa against Azaan or playing duas against Sunday prayers is a mere act of intolerance and communal hatred than the concern for noise pollution. With Article 25 one has all permission to practice, preach and propagate religion. Despite speaker usages not being part of the religion it indeed is an act of acceptance towards simplification of life through technology. In case of Muslims, Azaan is a call given to indicate the time for congregational prayer.
Earlier a person with high voice called out loudly for prayer and with passing time speakers made their work easy. It indeed is important for every religious institutions that the public order is maintained by following noise decibel protocols. At the same time citizens of democratic India has to understand their Constitutional duty of tolerance and brotherhood in order to eradicate spark that will ignite communal conflict.
Image by Cheska Poon
