Use of loudspeakers at religious sites to be permitted only with ....: Maharashtra Home Department

On Monday, April 18, the Maharashtra Home Department issued an order for the utilization of loudspeakers at religious sites, highlighted accounts. The state has reportedly mentioned that prior permission is required for its use. 

According to narratives, Maharashtra Home Minister, Dilip Walse Patil is slated to conduct a meeting with the DGP on Monday to tell him to direct all police commissioners and officers on the same. 

Use of loudspeakers at religious sites in the state to be allowed only with due permission: Maharashtra Home Department

State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil will hold a meeting with the DGP today to instruct him to direct all police commissioners & officers on this.

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

Apart from this, reports have been doing the rounds that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Dilip Patil will be meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of the use of loudspeakers in public places as well as the law and order situation in Maharashtra. 

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil to meet today to discuss the law and order situation in the state and the issue of the use of loudspeakers in public places

(File photos) pic.twitter.com/AW15Tmt5xp

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

Similarly, Deepak Pandey, Nashik CP was quoted in an account by the news agency ANI, stating "Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azan. It will not be allowed within 100 metres of the mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law & order."

He added, "All religious places have been directed to take permission for use of loudspeakers by May 3. After May 3, if anyone is found violating the order then legal action to be taken against the violators."

Maharashtra | Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azan. It will not be allowed within 100 metres of the mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law & order: Deepak Pandey, Nashik CP pic.twitter.com/zRrnyHdMqq

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

In other developments, on Saturday, April 16, Patil remarked that loudspeakers will not be removed from religious places that have prior permission for their use from the concerned authorities, highlighted accounts. 

These occurrences come in the aftermath of MNS Chief, Raj Thackeray declaring that he will organize the recital of Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques if loudspeakers were not removed from it by May 3. 

During his interaction with media persons, Patil elaborated on how instructions have been given that loudspeakers are permitted within the prescribed decibel limit. He added that if anyone violates this, legal action will be taken against them, cited reports. 

Patil went on to say that the court has mentioned that from 10 pm till 6 am, loudspeakers should not be played. Therefore, the question does not arise of removing loudspeakers from those religious sites that have permission to make use of them. Patil believes that people should not take law and order into their hands. 

Also Read: Aaditya Thackeray: Instead Of Removing Loudspeakers, One Should...