'What about the temples aarti?': Gujarat HC dismisses plea to ban mosque loudspeakers during azaan
Ahmedabad, November 29: The Gujarat High Court rejected a PIL seeking to ban loudspeakers for Azaan at mosques, deeming it an invalid plea. The division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee expressed confusion over how the human voice reciting Azaan through loudspeakers could breach noise pollution limits.
Dismissing the petition filed by Bajrang Dal leader Shaktisinh Zala, the court found the argument that Azaan's brief duration caused noise pollution untenable. The court questioned the petitioner's lawyer, highlighting morning rituals like temple aartis and their potential noise impact outside temple premises.
The court emphasised that Azaan lasts merely 5–10 minutes, reiterating that such practices are deeply rooted in faith and tradition.
Additionally, the bench noted that Azaan is conducted at different times during the day and stressed the lack of scientific data presented by the petitioner to substantiate claims of noise pollution due to Azaan. It pointed out that the sole argument revolved around perceived inconvenience to residents of diverse communities living near mosques where Azaan is relayed through loudspeakers.
The Gujarat High Court's ruling reiterated that the brief duration of Azaan through loudspeakers does not constitute noise pollution, dismissing the PIL seeking a ban on this religious practice.
- With inputs from agencies
