PIL seeking a ban on use of loudspeakers at religious sites disposed of by SC

On August 25, 2014, a bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justices A K Sikri and R K Agrawal of the Supreme Court had asked a petitioner to collect more ‘field data’ in support of his PIL seeking a ban on use of loudspeakers at religious sites. Journalist and social activist Vineet Narain, who had filed the petition, had urged the Court to ban the use of loudspeakers alleging that they cause noise pollution besides causing communal riots. The petitioner claimed that the use of loudspeakers threatens the very safety of the peace-loving citizens of the country. The PIL said that Prophet Mohammed, Hindu saints, Guru Nanak Dev and Christian Missionaries preached religion without the help of loudspeakers, which were not invented until 1861. The PIL referred to rules in several Islamic countries where the use of loudspeakers in mosques is prohibited. 

Narain subsequently used the RTI to collect the ‘field data’ which he tried to present before the court. However, the bench refused to go into details collected by him and disposed of the petition yesterday saying that directions on curbing noise pollution had already been passed. The bench said “There are directions in place. This court had given them.” The bench further said that as far as Delhi is concerned, rules are being complied with by Delhi Police and there cannot be a general order.