To use loudspeakers at religious sites in Maharashtra, prior permission is required; guidelines will be issued in 2 days

*Paromita Das

In the midst of an ongoing controversy over the use of loudspeakers in religious places, the Maharashtra government announced on Monday that they can only be used with proper permission.

According to the Maharashtra Home Department, the use of loudspeakers at religious sites in the state will be permitted only with prior permission. State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil stated that the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Mumbai Police Commissioner will develop guidelines for the use of loudspeakers in public places within the next one or two days. Patil also threatened harsh repercussions if anyone attempted to disrupt the state’s peace.
“We have kept a close eye on the state’s law and order situation. Those who attempt to disrupt the state’s peace will face severe consequences “he stated. Meanwhile, the Nashik police commissioner declared that all religious institutions must seek permission to use loudspeakers. “The timing of the use of loudspeakers at mosques will be regularised, and any religious place will have to seek prior permission before playing up any type of sound… until May 3,” the police officer said.

Raj Thackeray, the chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), recently demanded that loudspeakers in mosques be removed, giving the Maharashtra government until May 3 to act.
“If the state government, led by the Shiv Sena, does not remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, MNS workers will play the Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques. This was not a religious issue, but rather a social one, because loudspeakers annoy everyone. I want to assure the state government that we will not back down on this issue; do whatever you want “said Thackeray.