Loudspeaker is not necessary to practice religion, big decision of Bombay High Court, application of Gondia Masjid rejected:

News India Live, Digital Desk : Bombay HC Verdict : Often a debate erupts in our society regarding loudspeakers playing at religious places. Sometimes someone’s sleep is disturbed, and sometimes an elderly or sick person faces problems. Whenever the police or administration tries to stop it, the argument is that “it is part of our religion.”

But, what the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has said on this matter today has made the picture completely clear. The court has clearly stated that Using loudspeaker is not an essential part of any religion.

What was the whole matter?
This case is from Maharashtra Gondia Is connected to the district. A mosque committee there had filed a petition in the High Court. What happened was that the local police and administration had refused to allow the mosque to play the loudspeaker. The committee’s argument was that they needed it for giving Azaan and for religious activities and the police’s refusal was wrong.

What argument did the court give? (very useful thing)
While rejecting the application, the court said some things which are very logical and we all should understand:

1. Technology is not religion: The court said that loudspeakers and microphones came just 100 years ago. Our religion and customs are centuries old. Even when there was no electricity or mike, people used to pray and worship. This means that Mike cannot be “obligated” to follow the religion.
2. Right to peace of others: We live in a civilized society. The Constitution gives us the freedom to practice our religion (Article 25), but it does not mean that we should disturb the peace of others. Forcing one’s voice to be heard is a violation of the other person’s ‘right to live in peace’.
3. Rules in public places are for everyone: The court made it clear that it is the job of the administration to maintain peace in public places. The restriction imposed by Gondia Police to maintain law and order and peace in that area was absolutely right.

What is the meaning of this decision?
This decision is not limited to just one mosque. This applies to temple, gurudwara or any pandal. The court has given the message that faith is a matter of ‘mind’, not of ‘volume’. Be it Azaan or Aarti, if it is causing problems to the people in the neighborhood, students or patients, then the administration can stop it and we cannot call it an “attack on religion”.

So friends, the next time you feel that loud noises are causing trouble, remember that the law and the courts are on the side of peace. Religion teaches us to unite, not to disturb others by making noise.