The Allahabad High Court in India has reaffirmed that religious places are primarily meant for offering prayers and that the use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a fundamental right, especially when it causes inconvenience to nearby residents, news agency Muslim Mirror reported.
The court dismissed a petition seeking permission to install loudspeakers at a mosque, stating that the petitioner lacked locus standi and emphasizing that loudspeakers are not integral to religious practices.
Similarly, the Bombay High Court directed strict enforcement of noise pollution norms, highlighting the public health risks of excessive noise. The court instructed the state to ensure religious institutions adopt calibrated sound systems with automatic decibel limits.
Both courts have reiterated that while offering prayers is a protected right, loudspeakers are not essential to religious practices, underlining the the necessity of balancing religious freedoms with public welfare and adhering to noise pollution regulations.
