The other day I was awakened by a
sudden blurt of music at about 4.30 AM. I was not sure where did it came from.
Later it dawned on me that the nearby temple was trying to instil “bhakthi” to
the local residents by this tactic. This continues even now regularly in the
morning and evening. While the songs in the evening can be considered OK (if at
all such an exercise is needed) the morning songs appear to me to be an
intrusion into the life of the local residents who live in the immediate
surroundings of the temple. I am not sure whether anybody has given a thought
to this issue so far. As far as I understand any use of loudspeakers in a
public place has to be approved by the local police authorities, and I am sure
the necessary permission might have been taken by the temple authorities.
However, the moot question is who is responsible to ensure that the permission
is not misused or used with all the stipulations made like time of usage,
permitted decibel level etc. When it comes to religious places like temples,
churches, mosques etc the local police will not bother to interfere in the
matter for fear of “hurting religious freedom”. But this freedom should be
available for an ordinary citizen also irrespective of any religion. Again we can
understand some resistance if a person from another religion complains about
such nuisance. But what about complaints of persons from the same religion?
Should it not be given due consideration by the authorities? Just because
nobody makes a formal complaint, again for fear of being branded as an
“anti-social animal” should such breaking of law be permitted without check?
Such noise pollution reaches its crescendo during the festival seasons in
temples , churches etc. During these times the police should be extra vigilant
to ensure that the normal life of citizens if not adversely affected with such
high level of noise pollution. They police authorities can suitable advise the
concerned persons to ensure this.
It is not my case that only temples
or temple authorities are the culprits in this issue. The mushrooming clubs,
political parties, churches etc also not far behind in the matter. This new
year day I literally had a sleepless night as a local club (which was seen only
in paper during the entire year) decided to celebrate the new year with dhoom
dham. It so happened that the open space available near my house was chosen by
the as the venue and sound boxes of 2500 to 3000 W powers were installed. The
entire night they were literally bombarding the family members in our house
with high decibel songs. Here too, since I felt it was inappropriate for me to
intervene to request the organisers at least to reduce the volume of the sound
system at that point of time ( I am sure the organisers and other people available
there would have booed me had I tried this) we suffered this onslaught in
silent. But at least for the next year I have made it a point to request the
police authorities in advance to ensure that the decibel level of such
entertainments is kept to the low level so as not to disturb the others. I am
sure my effort would meet with resistance even from the authorities as they
would not like to have a confrontation with anybody in such issues, but I feel
that the rights of everybody should be protected in implementing the law.
It is also pertinent to note that
even now the conical speakers, the use of which had been banned by Supreme
court , are still being used in temples and mosques in clear violation of the
orders and the police authorities remain mute spectators to this. Unless a
start is made somewhere by somebody such blatant violation of laws will
continue unchecked and I am going to play the role of that ‘somebody’ come what
may. Let us hope better sense will prevail on those concerned and my efforts
will be fruitful.
