Use of loudspeakers during Azaan: Government will implement High Court order by taking everyone into confidence, says Bommai

The State government will implement court orders related to use of loudspeakers at mosques in phases after taking all communities into confidence, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday as pro-Hindu groups sought to counter the prayer on loudspeakers with their own chanting at temples.

Outfits such as Bhajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene have sought a ban on use of loudspeakers at mosques during Azaan, which according to Karnataka’s panchayat raj minister KS Eshwarappa disturbed students, patients, and elderly persons. The row erupted after MNS Party’s chief Raj Thackeray demanded that Azaan should not be played on loudspeakers.

Bommai said there have been orders from the high court, some of which even asked the high court why these were not being implemented. The orders prescribe the decibel levels of noise and want the government to install the decibel meters in districts.

The chief minister said the government will not “do anything by force,” and added that police and other authorities were already holding ground level meetings.

The city police, meanwhile, have written to all places of worship including mosques and temples explaining them about the high court orders and requesting them to comply with it. The police will act as per the law if they violate the court orders, the notice said.