Karnataka Waqf Board prohibits use of loudspeakers in mosques, dargahs

Bengaluru, March 17: Issuing the circular to Mosques and dargahs, Karnataka State Board of Auqaf has prohibits the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am during azaan or the Islamic call to ritual prayer recited.

 

According to the Board, the decision to bar the use of loudspeakers during the specified time was taken to prevent noise pollution. The board said that the ambient noise level around these structures has "deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of people.

 

 

The circular said, "It is observed that increasing ambient noise level around many masjid and dargahs due to generator sets, loudspeakers, and public address systems have deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of the people. To maintain the ambient standards of noise The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 are in force. The loudspeakers shall not be used in the night time which shall mean from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am."

 

 

The areas comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions, and courts are declared as silence zones. "Whoever uses sound amplifier or burst sound-emitting firecrackers, uses a loudspeaker or public address system in a silence zone is liable for penalty under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act-1986," the circular read.

  

 

The circular further directed that loudspeakers should be used only for "azan" and other important announcements, whereas the congregational Salat, Jumma Qutba, Bayans, religious socio-cultural, and knowledge-based functions shall be performed with the speakers installed on the premises of the mosques and dargahs. The circular further added that if any violation will be liable for the penalty.

.

.