Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti has said that Mumbai city is now completely free from instructional loudspeakers. He stated that the police had earlier successfully carried out a comprehensive drive against public address systems installed on all religious structures.
The Commissioner confirmed to the Free Press Journal (FPJ) that the police have removed about 1,500 instructional loudspeakers from religious structures across Mumbai, and they will ensure that such loudspeakers are not reinstalled. He clarified that these loudspeakers were not removed from just one type of religious place, but from all places of worship, including mosques, temples, and gurdwaras.
The Police Commissioner also clarified with media that religious structures belonging to any particular community were not singled out. He said that the campaign was carried out in a systematic manner as per the instructions of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to ensure appropriate and non-arbitrary action.
He added that the police held discussions with leaders of various religious and political communities and that everything was done in consultation with them. Loudspeakers were removed with the consent and cooperation of all stakeholders.
Loudspeakers have now been removed from all religious places, making Mumbai free of such installations. Temporary permission will be granted for the use of loudspeakers during religious festivals.
This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, directing the police to take immediate action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules. The High Court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion.
