Azaan-Bhajan Row: What Does the Law Say About Use of Loudspeakers in India?

As Maharashtra govt seeks to counter Raj Thackeray's inflaming of tensions, Noise Pollution Rules become relevant.

Amid growing communal tensions across the country, a new front has been opened in Maharashtra by Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Thackeray has demanded that mosques no longer be allowed to broadcast the azaan (ie call to prayer) by loudspeaker, and that if any mosque continues to use loudspeakers to do so after 3 May, Hindus will broadcast Hanuman Chalisa via loudspeakers at the same time.

Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey on Monday, 18 April, directed all religious places in the city to apply for permission for any usage of loudspeakers by 3 May.

In response to Thackeray's call to action, the Commissioner also ordered that no person will be allowed to play bhajans or other songs on loudspeakers in a 100 metre-radius of any mosque within the Nashik police commissionerate's jurisdiction 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the azaan calls.