Maharashtra's Government would soon announce restrictions on the usage of loudspeakers: HM Dilip Walse-Patil

The State Director General of Police (DGP) and the Mumbai Police Commissioner will frame the guidelines that all places of worship must follow, state home minister Dilip Wasle-Patil said on Monday after a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, amid the raging Azaan-Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers controversy. The meeting takes place in the wake of MNS head Raj Thackeray's ultimatum to the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, which the BJP has also demanded.

 

"The state DGP Rajnish Seth and Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey would collaborate to draught loudspeaker guidelines." In a day or two, these instructions will be released. "Everyone will have to observe the regulations," Walse-Patil added, adding that those who incite communal strife would face severe consequences.

 

There was no discussion about removing loudspeakers from mosques or temples, according to Walse-Patil. He claimed that the state Home Department has issued clear instructions that loudspeakers must be kept under the permissible decibel range, and that anyone who does so will face legal consequences. "Any illegal use of loudspeakers at any place of worship or events will result in severe repercussions," he stressed.

 

Meanwhile, Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey has announced that by May 3, all houses of worship must obtain police authorization to use loudspeakers. The Mumbai Police Department has recently issued a caution to social media users about posting or sharing incendiary content.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @Dwalsepatil