Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 26: The state high court, on Wednesday March 25, sought to know from the government as to whether mosques, temples etc which use microphones and loudspeakers have obtained prior permission from the police department as required. It also asked the decibel level and other things permitted as per licences if any.

A division bench of the high court comprising Justice K L Manjunath and Justice Raghavendra Chauhan passed these comments, while considering a petition filed by a resident of Govindarajanagar here. The petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that the blaring of prayers through the loudspeakers of a mosque located near his house seven times a day had robbed him of his health. He had claimed that he and other residents from Govindarajanagar were facing problems because of this loud prayers, and that he was now suffering from heart problems and headache. He claimed that complaints filed with police and pollution control board about this menace had not got the desired result.

During the hearing of the petition, the bench told the police department and the government that constant use of microphones at high decibels causes health problems for the people. It was observed that microphones heap miseries on people with delicate health, students etc. 'Why does one require microphones to pray or chant Bhajans? Have prior permissions been obtained for their use? Why no action is taken if they are using microphones in violation of rules? Are you not aware that officials are hand in glove in these violations?,' the bench wanted to know.

Government counsel, Diwakar, could not provide a proper response to these angry queries.