Loudspeaker Row: Maharashtra Wants To Follow The Footstep Of UP

Following a government order, over 60,000 loudspeakers in religious places were removed and their volume was set to permissible levels in Uttar Pradesh, a senior police official said on Sunday.

According to the ADGP, loudspeakers are being removed from all religious places without discrimination.

He said, "Orders of the high court regarding loudspeakers are also being considered during the exercise." As per the said 2017 order, the HC had asked the state government if the loudspeakers at religious and public places were installed after taking permission in writing from authorities referring to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

The recent drive against loudspeakers followed after CM Yogi , during a review meeting, in April, said that people have the freedom to perform their religious practices according to their faith.

"Though microphones can be used, it should be ensured that the sound does not come out of any premises. People should not face any problem," he had said.

On the same lines, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for the removal of loudspeakers, which he termed a nuisance.

Mr Thackeray said if the UP government could remove the loudspeakers, what was stopping the Maharashtra govt.