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The Speaker, Mr Hasim Abdul Halim, lent support to the Hindu Court
ruling on use of loudspeakers at religious shrines. Mr Halim,
however, said offering prayers and conducting puja were matters of
personal faith and belief. "A devout Muslim must offer prayer five
times a day. But is it necessary to announce prayer times (azaan)
over microphones within a radius of five km where people of
different faiths live amicably?" Mr Halim said. "Earlier, azaan was
announced five times a day from mosques without microphones.
Muslims then had no problem responding." Referring to the
escalating pollution, he said, "Our temples, gurdwaras, churches
and mosques should help educated people about the adverse effects
of noise pollution." He also said decibels should be controlled
during Diwali with the ban of noisy crackers.
The government has decided to soft-pedal the question of banning
loudspeakers blaring at over the 65 decibel-limit at places of
worship and during religious programmes, as prescribed by the High
Court.
"We are not in a hurry. We have to implement the court order
keeping in mind the right of the people right to practise their
faith," the home minister, Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharya, said.
Mr Jyoti Basu today held a meeting with leaders of the Muslim, Sikh
and Christian communities, where he informed them of the court
order.
Briefing newspersons at Writers', Mr Bhattacharya said only
representatives of the Muslim community spoke of "certain problems"
while "accepting the spirit of the judgement." He, however, refused
to elaborate on these problems."
The imam of Nakhoda Mosque, Moulana Mohammed Shabbir, of Sola'ana
Masjid, Moulana Abul Qayum, and Moulana Masudi, a member of the
Wakf Board, said after the meeting that they will carry on using
loudspeakers for azaan (the muezzin's call to Prayer) at least five
times a day, as has been customary.
"If we do not use loudspeakers, then the message of azaan will not
reach the masses. If necessary, we will move the Supreme Court
against the High Court order," they said. They also said that Mr
Basu has been informed of this.
"We do not object to the government restricting loudspeakers at
rallies and processions, but we will not tolerate such interference
with mosque affairs," they said Imam of different mosques in the
city will hold a meeting soon.
Mr C.N. Penn Anthony, who represented the Christian community along
with clergy from churches, said the peal of church bells has never
been the cause of noise pollution. He also agreed to abide by the
High Court order.
Representatives of the Sikh community also informed the chief
minister that they will abide by the restrictions and only use
loudspeakers beyond the prescribed limit if permitted.
Claiming the meeting was a success," Mr Bhattacharya said Mr Basu
gave a patient hearing to the "problems" of the Muslim community.
He said the High Court will be informed of the meeting's
proceedings in detail. :
"We should listen to the minority community. We cannot ignore
their problems. Nor are we ignoring Hindus," Mr Bhattacharya said.
He also admitted the High Court had questioned the government over
its delay in implementing the order, passed before the last Pujas.
The government will approach the High Court in a ple of days.
Referring to the restriction on loudspeakers and sloganeering at
Esplanade East, Mr Bhattacharya said he will convene a meeting of
political parties having representatives in the Assembly to discuss
a Permanent alternative site for political rallies.
Swami Lokeswarananda of the Ramakrishna Mission was invited. But he
could not attend.
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