New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today soughtthe responses of the Centre and the Delhi government on a pleaseeking a ban on loudspeakers atop religious structures in thenational capital.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice CHari Shankar issued notice to the Centre, the city governmentand the Delhi Police and posted the matter for further hearingon January 29 next year.
The plea, filed by an activist Sanjjiiv Kkumaar, saidbanning of loudspeakers will not violate Article 25 or 26(Articles on Freedom of Religion) of the Constitution.
It said that loudspeakers were never part of any religionas the instrument came into existence only in 1924.
"Loudspeakers were never part of any of the religionswhether it is Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity,Islam, Sikhism or Zoroastrianism.
"That, as loudspeakers is not part of/intrinsic to any ofthe religions as all religions are 4000 to 5000 years old,whereas loudspeaker came into existence in 1924, that is lessthan 100 years and hence banning loudspeaker will not hit(violate) Article 25 or 26 of the Constitution," he said.
The petition also said the use of loudspeakers takes awaythe right of the citizens to speak with others, their right toread or think or the right to sleep.
"There may be heart patients or patients suffering fromnervous disorder may be compelled to bear this serious impactof sound pollution which has had an adverse effect on them.
Toddlers, kids are equally affected," the plea said.
The plea also referred to the landmark judgement of theapex court which declared the Right to Privacy as aFundamental Right.
The plea sought directions to the authorities to removeloudspeakers atop any religious structures saying theyviolated citizens' rights including those of minors andelderly people.
The petition also sought a direction to the authoritiesthat after removing the loudspeakers, monitoring is carriedout, a complaint mechanism established and suitable actiontaken against repeat offenders. PTI RRT PPS SKV HMPARC.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.