Loudspeaker Vs Loudspeaker: Karnataka Right Wing Groups Play Bhajans Against Azaan
Highlight
- Some right-wing organizations in Karnataka have urged temple priests to chant ‘mantra’ in speakers.
- Groups have attempted to ban the morning ‘azaan’ heard at speakers outside mosques.
- Hindu organizations are demanding that loudspeakers be banned in mosques.
Continuing their protest against loudspeakers outside mosques, some right-wing organizations in Karnataka have urged priests in temples to play ‘mantras’ or bhajans at 5:30 am. Starting this ‘Loudspeaker vs Loudspeaker’ contest, these right-wing organizations led by Bajrang Dal and Shri Ram Sena have attempted to ban the morning ‘Azaan’ heard on speakers outside mosques.
Ever since Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray demanded to stop the loudspeakers of mosques, these organizations started protesting against the speakers outside the mosques.
Addressing a Gudi Padwa rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on April 2, he warned, “Why are loudspeakers played at such high volume in mosques? If this is not stopped, then Hanuman Chalisa is played at high volume outside mosques. Speakers will be there.”
In a video message, Shri Ram Sena convenor Pramod Muthalik said Hindu organizations are demanding that loudspeakers at mosques be banned and the Supreme Court order on noise pollution be implemented.
He alleged that Shri Ram Sena had appealed to the concerned authorities in this regard but no one paid heed. Mutalik said that the government should instruct the mosque management not to use loudspeakers. He also said that the Supreme Court has banned the use of loudspeakers every day from 10 pm to 6 am.
Muthalik warned, “The order also says that loudspeakers should not be used in silent areas like schools and hospitals, but that order is being violated by the mosque management. Will play bhajans in the morning.”
(with PTI inputs)
Read also: A day after the warning, MNS played ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ on a loudspeaker outside its office in Mumbai. Video