Karnataka govt issues guidelines for loudspeakers amid row; upholds 10 PM to 6 AM ban

In wake of protest against Azaan, Karnataka government released a new circular on loudspeakers on Tuesday, May 10. In circular dressed to Superintendents, Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners of Police, as well as users of loudspeakers and or sounding instruments, Basavaraj Bommai ministration has cited its order dated 13-08-2002 under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and issued following directions which are to be mandatorily hered to with 'immediate effect'.

1. A loudspeaker or a public dress system shall not be used at night (between 10.00 PM to 6.00 A.M) except in closed premises for communication within e.g., auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.
2. All existing users of loud speakers/ public dress systems and sound-producing instruments shall obtain written permission from Designated Authority within 15 days. (Application form enclosed)
3. Those who do not obtain permission should voluntarily remove loud speakers / public dress systems and sound producing instruments or else same shall be removed by Designated authority within 15 days from deline given.
4. A Committee is constituted at different levels comprising following members to decide application seeking permission for use of Loud Speaker/Public dress System in accordance with provisions of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control ) Rules, 2000. ii) Commissioner of Police, Jurisdictional Executive Engineer In all Police Commissionerate areas of City Corporation and a representative of Pollution Control Board ii) In all or areas, Dy. SP, jurisdictional Tahsildar and a representative of Pollution Control Board. 
5. Non-compliance to provisions of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, Government Order vide No. FEE 46 ENV 2000, Dated: 13.08.2002 and directions above shall attract penal action in accordance with Section 15, 19 and 24 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

directions follow a meeting of Chief Minister with ACS, Home Department, DG&IGP, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, ditional vocate General, Principal Secretary, Law Department, Secretary, Pollution Control Board, and or officials where provisions of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and subsequent order by Government of Karnataka were discussed. All in light of warning of Sri Ram Sena over use of loudspeakers for Azaan in mosques. 

Sri Ram Sena warns of consequences over Azaan row

Backing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik vowed to play Hanuman Chalisa across 1,000 temples in Karnataka from Monday, May 9 to counter morning Azaan. Following his ultimatum, his party workers were detained by police while y were on ir way to Hanuman Temple in Shanti Nagar, Bengaluru.

"I am warning you. Muslim organisations' stubbornness is causing disharmony. Your Prayers and Azaan is disturbing patients in hospitals. It is distracting students and public. refore, you reduce decibel levels, orwise, we will act on our own,” SRS founder said.