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PIL against Masjid loudspeakers: HC says illegal loudspeakers of all religious centres must go

[email protected] (CD Network)
August 1, 2014

Mumbai, Aug 1: Calling upon all citizens to come together against noise pollution the Bombay high court has directed the police to remove loudspeakers from places of worship in Mumabi and Navi Mumbai if the required permission from the authorities has not been obtained.

loudspeakersA division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode, while hearing a PIL, said that unauthorized loudspeakers must be confiscated irrespective of whether they were installed for "Ganeshotsav, Navratri or in mosques... irrespective of religion, caste or community". It called on citizens to "come together" against noise pollution.

A recent RTI plea unearthed data that showed 45 of the 49 mosques in the area did not have the requisite permission for loudspeakers.

The PIL, filed by Navi Mumbai resident Santosh Pachalag earlier this year, raised the issue of "illegal use of loudspeakers" by mosques in Navi Mumbai. It claimed that, according to data obtained recently under the Right to Information Act, 45 of the 49 mosques (around 92%) in the area do not have permission for loudspeakers. It added that the mosques are located in silence zones, which house schools and hospitals, and that their loudspeakers surpass the decibel levels allowed under the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulations) Rules 2000.

The judges on Wednesday asked the state to find out if the mosques have taken necessary approval. "If they have not, what steps have you taken? This cannot go on," said Justice Kanade.

Pachalag's advocate D G Dhanure said the police can confiscate the loudspeakers if they are being used without proper approvals. He submitted that, according to RTI data, Ganpati and Navratri mandals in Thane had applied for permission to play loudspeakers.

The bench said that unauthorized loudspeakers must be confiscated in all cases, "whether Ganeshotsav or Navratri or mosques". It observed that festivals like Ganeshotsav and Navratri can get noisy. "They are a source of continuous noise pollution. It is impossible to sleep during Ganeshotsav, particularly its last five days," said Justice Kanade, adding that "patients and old people at home" are especially affected. The judges called for a citizens' initiative against noise pollution.

The judges directed the state to file an affidavit on whether all mosques in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai that use loudspeakers have sought permission for them. "If necessary permission is not obtained, the police are directed to take adequate steps to removal these loudspeakers," they noted in their order.

Comments

TrueIndian
 - 
Saturday, 5 Mar 2016

the most disturbing part is listening to the muslim prayers early in the morning , it gives d worst start for the day ....
i dont know what mosques were doing before the invention of speakers

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News Network
February 4,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 4: Taking the state government to task, the Karnataka High Court on Monday opined there was a need to rehabilitate or compensate migrant workers whose homes in Tubarahalli and Kundalahalli were demolished by a BBMP engineer last month.

On January 19, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) assistant executive engineer at Marathahalli had taken up a demolition drive stating that the migrant workers residing in the area were “illegal Bangladeshis”.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Abhay S Oka was hearing a petition by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties which contended that the evacuation of the workers was illegal. Stressing the need for relief, the court directed the state government to come clean on its stance and adjourned the hearing to February 10.

Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadgi submitted that the Union government had issued a circular last year to ascertain the presence of illegal Bangaladesh migrants. “On the basis of this circular, the BBMP officials had written a letter to Marathahalli police sub-inspector on January 18. Based on this letter, the residents in huts were evicted in a civilised manner,” he stated.

The bench, however, differed with the submission. “Who identified them as Bangladeshis before the eviction? Which is the competent authority to do so? Which police officer took up the inquiry?” the bench questioned.

The court also asked whether the government would take up similar eviction drives against illegal buildings of the rich. It also expressed displeasure over the action taken against the BBMP engineer.

“Instead of sending him home, you say you have transferred him. We can’t be mute spectators,” the bench said.

The court did not mince words as it castigated the authorities for failing to act judiciously. “The police and the BBMP are blaming each other. Your action appears to be dangerous. Going by the state of things, it seems that everything is not in order,” it said.

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News Network
February 28,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 28: BS Yediyurappa’s contribution to the economy is substantial, and he is one CM who has contributed largely to making India the fifth largest economy, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.

“He will ensure that Karnataka contributes towards making India the third-largest economy in the coming days,” Singh said, who had flown from New Delhi to participate in the CM’s birthday celebrations.

Singh recalled Yediyurappa asking him how to increase welfare measures for farmers, and had suggested that the CM reduce interest rates on loans to help the community. “Yediyurappa took the suggestion seriously and reduced interest of loans to a mere 4 % and gradually reduced it to 1 % before coming down to zero,” Singh said, appreciating Yediyurappa’s love for farmers.

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coastaldigest.com news network
August 6,2020

Bengaluru/Mangaluru, Aug 6: Battered by torrential rains, several parts of Karnataka are facing a flood-like situation for the third consecutive year, putting lives and property at risk. 

Several districts of the state's coastal, Malnad and north interior regions are receiving heavy rains and the showers are expected to continue, while there are reports of landslides in hilly areas of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts.

With flood-like situation in several parts of the state, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who is currently undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection at a private hospital here, has ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crore for emergency relief.

"In wake of heavy rains in several parts of the state, I have instructed the Chief Secretary to review the situation and issued instructions to DCs (Deputy Commissioners) to closely monitor the situation & take necessary measures. Also ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crores for emergency relief purposes," he tweeted last night.

A statement released by the CMO on Thursday said, Yediyurappa has directed the district in-charge Ministers to take precautionary measures in the wake of heavy rainfall across the state.

He instructed the ministers to remain in their constituencies and tour the damaged areas and also directed them to undertake relief distribution and other necessary measures.

"Rs 50 crore has already been released and if necessary more funds would be released. The ministers can take decisions regarding emergency works," he added.

Revenue Minister R Ashoka said he had spoken to Deputy Commissioners of all the districts and given them necessary instructions to respond immediately to the situation.

He has called for a meeting of the disaster management authority later today.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he will be holding a meeting with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) regarding relief and rescue measures to be taken.

Parts of districts in coastal and Malnad regions are currently under red alert and rains are likely to continue there.

Officials said, "... depending on the situation we will downgrade the alerts, it (rains) is likely to reduce during the next couple of days...wind speed is also high some parts, it may also reduce."

In Kodagu district along with widespread rains, landslides have also occurred.

There have been landslides at Brahmagiri, near Talacauvery, the origin of river Cauvery.

"At least four to five people- including the Talacauvery temple priest and family are currently missing... rescue teams have reached the spot," officials said, adding that sensing danger the priest had been asked to vacate the house earlier but he did not.

This is the third consecutive year that Kodagu is facing floods and landslides.

Several parts of north Karnataka, especially the border district of Belagavi are also facing flood situation as inflow has increased in Krishna river and its tributaries due to heavy rains in neighboring Maharashtra and also in the district.

With inflow increasing in Tungabhadra river, there is flood like situation in parts of Ballari district also.

There is a similar situation in Uttara Kannada district that is battered by rains and heavy winds.

The swollen Gangavali river has caused flood like situation in parts of the district.

Due to continuous rains in coastal and Malnad region several rivers including Netravati are swollen and gates of the dams have been opened.

There are also reports of heavy rains and wind causing destruction to crops in parts of Dharwad and Haveri among other districts.

The Karnataka government had recently said it has identified 1,989 villages and over 51 lakh people in 19 districts as flood prone.

As a temporary arrangement for those who will be affected by floods, as many as 1,747 relief centres have been identified- they are schools, anganwadi centres, community centres among others, Minister Ashoka had said recently.

In August 2019, Karnataka witnessed one of its worst natural calamities when heavy floods affected 103 taluks in 22 districts, killing more than 80 people and displacing nearly seven lakh people.

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