Loudspeaker volume lowered or low in 72% mosques: Mumbai cops – Times of India

MUMBAI: Around 72% of mosques in the city have either reduced the volume of their loudspeakers or the volume there was found already low, revealed a survey conducted by Mumbai police amid the ongoing controversy over loudspeakers at religious sites.
A senior police officer who did not wish to be named said the volumes were checked during the morning azaan or call for prayer. “There were also reports that some mosques had stopped using loudspeakers. Mosques have taken action on their own,” said the police officer.
The row over loudspeakers broke out after MNS chief Raj Thackeray said in his Gudi Padwa speech that his party workers would play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers if loudspeakers at mosques were not removed. In another speech last week, Raj issued an ultimatum that the loudspeakers must be removed by May 3.
Against the backdrop of the MNS demand, Maharashtra Director General of Police Rajneesh Seth on Tuesday instructed police officers to enforce the Supreme Court’s guidelines on the issue strictly, reported PTI. Seth held a video conference meeting in the morning with all district superintendents of police, special inspector generals of various ranges and commissioners of major cities, PTI quoted an official as saying. A senior official attended the meeting on behalf of the Mumbai police commissioner.
The DGP instructed unit commanders to allow loudspeakers between 6 am and 10 pm with prior permission from police and asked them to strictly abide by SC guidelines on loudspeaker use as well as noise pollution norms laid down by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The use of loudspeakers in public places was an old issue and there are clear guidelines, the DGP said while instructing all police units to take action in case there was any complaint of noise pollution, the officer said.
Sanjay Pandey, city police commissioner, has conducted meetings with Muslim community leaders, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders and Dalit leaders and asked them to support peace and brotherhood. “We will not spare anyone who tries to disturb peace,” said an IPS officer.
Meanwhile, home minister Dilip Walse-Patil said police were prepared to take action against those trying to create disturbances.