Mayanagari Loudspeaker-Free, Says CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government has taken a big step to reduce noise pollution. 3367 loudspeakers have been removed from religious places across the state along with Mumbai. With this step, Mumbai has been made loudspeaker free. This claim was made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Assembly on Friday. In the House, he said that loudspeakers have been removed from 1150 mosques, 48 temples, 10 churches, 4 gurudwaras and other 148 places in Mumbai. Patting his government's back, he said that this action has been taken peacefully. Due to which there has been no religious or communal dispute. Giving further information, he said that changes will be made in the SOP regarding loudspeakers. According to this, in the police station area where loudspeakers are installed, the in-charge of that police station will be responsible.

On Friday, in the assembly, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar drew the attention of the government to the loudspeakers installed at religious places. MLAs Aditya Thackeray, Bhaskar Jadhav, Devyani Farande, Jitendra Awhad, Vishwajit Kadam, Sana Malik and others participated in the discussion. Responding to the questions of the MLAs, Chief Minister Fadnavis replied in the House that the Bombay High Court has issued a guideline for legal implementation on noise pollution caused by loudspeakers in reference to a petition. Accordingly, the Director General of Police has prepared an SOP. The Chief Minister said that the Mumbai Police has removed the loudspeakers of the religious place with mutual agreement. There was no religious tension or FIR during this period. The Mumbai Police did a good job in removing the loudspeakers.

Responding to the questions of the MLAs in the assembly, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the law that loudspeakers cannot be played after 10 pm has been in force for 15-20 years. The court has given exemption for some special days. Loudspeakers are allowed till 12 midnight for 4 days during Ganpati festival, Navratri, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Sound proof pandals have been prepared in Gujarat, due to which there is exemption during Navratri. Navratri festival is also celebrated in big halls in Mumbai.