Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is implementing restrictions on using loudspeakers on mosques, even because the Muslim group observes the holy month of Ramadan.
Mumbai, India – 11, Mar 2025: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Vidhan Bhavan through the Maharashtra Funds Meeting session, in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photograph by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photograph)
Fadnavis mentioned on Tuesday that the trusts of mosques can be given permission to make use of loudspeakers for a specified interval solely. The permission can be renewed provided that the decibel degree of the azaan or name to prayer delivered over loudspeakers was throughout the prescribed limits. These discovered violating the principles would face motion, and repetition of the offence would imply permission to make use of the loudspeakers can be revoked and the loudspeakers seized.
The chief minister was responding to a requirement from BJP legislators Devyani Pharande and Atul Bhatkhalkar within the state meeting, to disallow using loudspeakers on mosques on grounds that they contribute to noise air pollution.
Pointing to a Supreme Courtroom order, which has banned using loudspeakers from 10pm to 6am, and permits a most 55 decibels through the day and 45 decibels at night time, Fadnavis mentioned the principles weren’t being noticed. “We are now issuing fresh directives, directing the police to issue permission to use loudspeakers for a specified period only. This can be extended if the decibel rules are not violated,” Fadnavis advised the state meeting on Tuesday.
“Those violating the rules can face action by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in the first phase. In the case of repeated offenders, their permission to use loudspeakers will not be renewed by the police,” he acknowledged, including, “The police will also impose a fine following an order delivered by the Bombay High Court in January 2025.”
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The excessive courtroom in its order on January 23 outlined three steps to observe whereas performing on a criticism in opposition to loudspeakers on spiritual constructions. First, warning the alleged offender. Second, if a criticism is obtained in opposition to the identical offender, a high quality beneath Part 136 of the Maharashtra Police Act ought to be imposed on the spiritual construction, which can be recovered from the trustees or supervisor.
Third, if any additional criticism is obtained pertaining to the identical spiritual construction, the police shall undertake steps as contemplated beneath Part 70 of the Maharashtra Police Act and seize the loudspeakers or amplifiers from the spiritual construction. They could additionally proceed to cancel the licence allowing the construction to make use of loudspeakers or amplifiers.
Fadnavis additionally mentioned, henceforth, native police inspectors can be chargeable for implementing the principles. “They will visit mosques and check if the decibel rules are being followed. If not, then they are expected to take action. If no action is taken, the police inspectors will be held responsible,” he emphasised.
Fadnavis additionally needs extra energy for the police. He mentioned the Surroundings Safety Act, 1986, vests all energy with the MPCB to behave in opposition to circumstances of noise air pollution. “The police are toothless to deal with such cases. We will request the central government to amend the act to provide powers to the police,” mentioned the chief minister.