Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s First Order Bans Loudspeaker, At Religious Places

After taking oath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the newly-appointed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s first decision was prohibiting the use of loudspeakers at religious places beyond permissible decibels on Wednesday (December 13).

Citing the Supreme Court judgment of July 2005 which banned the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm to 6 am in public places, giving exception to public emergency cases, the directive by Mohan Yadav, the BJP MLA from Ujjain South, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh earlier today (December 13), banned the use of loudspeaker at religious places.

Supreme court had on October 28, 2005, reasoned its then ruling to the side effects of noise pollution for the health of people living nearby.

However, Gujarat High Court had recently dismissed a petition seeking a ban on Azaan through loudspeakers by terming it as “wholly misconceived” as the petitioned failed to show how human voice through loudspeakers raised noise decibels beyond permissible levels.

Additional Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Rajora told the news agency PTI: “For the use of loudspeakers, based on the orders of the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal, were also issued for immediate implementation.”

“A flying squad will be constituted in each district to monitor the sound levels of loudspeakers and DJ systems playing music at religious places,” Rajesh added.

The chief minister Mohan Yadav also held meetings with the officials and instructed them to prepare a road map for the implementation of the promises outlined in the election manifesto of the state.