Insight Bureau: Amid the ongoing debate taking place over the ban of loudspeaker in the state, Maharashtra Home Minister, Dilip Walse Patil informed that the use of loudspeakers at religious sites in the state will be allowed only with due permission.
According to sources, Dilip is slated to conduct a meeting with the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to instruct him on directing all the police commissioners and officers regarding the same.
The last date to seek permission is May 3 and loudspeakers will be confiscated from all those religious bodies that do not have permission. In case anyone plays loudspeakers beyond the allowed decibel level, a formal inquiry will be conducted and anyone violating the regulations will face stern legal actions.
Maharashtra Home Ministry, DW Patil stated that the court had ordered that from 10 pm till 6 am loudspeakers should not be played but mosques or temples that have taken permission will be allowed to put on loudspeakers.
The issue was created after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray warned about restricting the usage of loudspeakers in mosques. He further gave an ultimatum till May 3 for removing loudspeakers from mosques and threatening to play ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ with speakers.
“Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azan. It will not be allowed within 100 metres of the mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law & order,” says Deepak Pandey, Nashik Police Commissioner.