Ronik Sharma
To avoid any sort of trouble for students or elderly parents, as well as any kind of disturbance to heart and other patients, loudspeaker level must be regulated to what is permissible at various religious venues without religious discrimination, in order to avoid any type of trouble for individuals living nearby.Various State governments have begun a statewide campaign to remove atop loudspeakers from religious buildings and adjust the volume of others within authorised limits as part of an ongoing anti-loudspeaker campaign is a well step.This isn’t the first time that State Governments have taken steps to limit and regulate religious establishments outside of the religion line, instructing them not to use loudspeakers above the permitted volume. Initially, the Supreme Court, in July 2005, prohibited the use of loudspeakers and music systems in public places between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (except in the event of a public emergency during those hours), citing the harmful effects of noise pollution on the health of those who live in such areas.Later, many public interest litigations were brought at various high courts, requesting a ban on the use of loudspeakers at high volumes, and the courts dealt with this severe matter appropriately, as well as directing the administrative establishment to take strict actions in the event of any infractions. Secularism is the fundamental foundation of the constitution, and religion is a matter of faith and belief, as we all know. The Indian Constitution recognises the same factual belief and also acknowledges the importance of religion in one’s life, particularly in the lives of Indians. In light of this, India’s constitution recognises the situation and establishes the right to religious freedom in Articles 25 to 28. The Constitution’s secular core model and fundamental elements envision a secular nature and ensure that everyone has the right and freedom to choose and practise their faith.
The use of loudspeakers in religious buildings has grown fashionable. Religious places have loudspeakers set to the highest volume. Regardless of whether others in the surrounding surroundings like it or not. The placement of as many loudspeakers as possible on the tops of religious shrines, regardless of religious affiliation, has heightened competition among diverse faiths. The threat of noise pollution has inflamed discontent across numerous social groups. Noise can make individuals angry, apprehensive, and make it difficult to make decisions. It has been demonstrated to obstruct children’s natural speech and hearing development, causing developmental delays and reducing overall growth. On several occasions, the phrase “Might is Right” is flashed.There are no takers for the Hon’ble Supreme Court guidelines in the order of 2005. For their own convenience and vote bank politics, various State Governments seldom bother to carry out the Supreme Court of India’s judgement in letter and spirit on the ground. The catastrophic situation we are witnessing now could have been avoided if the Supreme Court’s rules had been heeded. Various State Governments are to blame for the current state of chaos that can be seen across the country. Various high courts around the country must take suo motu jurisdiction and determine whether the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision is carried out on the ground or not. Officials who make mistakes should face severe consequences. A stitch in time saves nine, according to popular belief.
However, allowing things to burst leads to social chaos. Noise pollution is one of the country’s most critical issues, with serious health implications if not addressed. When an undesired sound beyond the boundaries is blasted, it is a common cause of heart issues, headaches, nausea, blood pressure spikes, insomnia, and, most importantly, deafness, all of which are widespread among the general public. The threat of noise pollution, particularly when DJs and loudspeakers are kept at their utmost volume, puts people in dangerous situations and causes emotional disruptions to those who live nearby. High-pitched noise has a negative impact on growing children’s academics as well as competitive exam candidates. To protect the lives and health of the general public, the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s guidelines must be followed in letter and spirit on the ground, and intellectuals, public figures, members of the civil society, and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must come forward to support the courts’ and government’s efforts to protect society from the dangers of loudspeakers and high-pitched sounds. In a civilised society, it is the responsibility of the local Government to ensure that noise control regulations are observed. If this is not the case, violators must be prosecuted and fined heavily. To combat this threat, a special task force should be formed. Let us band together to combat the threat of noise pollution with our best efforts.
(The author is an Advocate)
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