Misuse of loudspeakers: HC seeks replies from UP government, pollution control board

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has sought replies from the Uttar Pradesh government and the UP Pollution Control Board on the alleged misuse of loudspeakers in religious places of the state in violation of the Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rule, 2000.

The court directed the principal secretary, home and the UP Pollution Control Board chairman to file their personal affidavits (replies) within six weeks on seven points related to the issue. The court made it clear that in case personal affidavits were not filed by the next date, February 1, both the officers shall appear in person before it.

A division bench of justice Vikram Nath and justice Abdul Moin passed this order on Wednesday on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by ML Yadav, a local lawyer. The petitioner alleged that the Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rule was not being followed in religious places like temples, mosques, gurudwara and churches. As a result, students, ailing people and the public bore the brunt of noise pollution, the petitioner said.

As per the rule, the use of loudspeakers cannot be allowed from 10pm to 6am, the petitioner said. The petitioner sought a direction for strict compliance with the rule so that people could sleep peacefully.

The court sought a reply on the following points: what steps have been taken to ensure the strict enforceability of the rules of 2000? Whether all the loudspeakers installed over religious structures like mosques, temples, gurudwaras and other public places have been set up after obtaining written permission and, if not, what action has been taken for removal of the same? If the said loudspeakers or public address systems were allowed to come up over the temples, mosques, gurudwara and other public places without any written permission from the authority, then what action has been taken against such officials who were required to stop it? The court further sought reply as to what accountability has been fixed /sought to be fixed on such officials who have not strictly enforced provisions of the 2000 rules. The court asked how many loudspeakers and public address systems were dismantled and removed from temples, mosques, gurudwaras and other buildings, which are being used without written permission. What action has been initiated against the processions, including marriage processions, which are taken out day and night and whether a suitable enforcement machinery by means of an identified website had been set up or was in the process of being set up as directed by the court in another case in 2014, the court asked.

— Manoj Kumar Singh