Dr. Abraham Mathai, Founder-Chairman of Harmony Foundation & Former Vice-Chairman of the Minorities Commission, appreciates and welcomes the recent decision of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, which upholds the need to regulate noise pollution at places of worship, irrespective of religion. This ruling reaffirms that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any faith and highlights the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in society.
The bench of Justices AS Gadkari and SC Chandak in a petition filed by Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association of Chunabhatti and Nehru Nagar (Kurla East) has rightly ruled that police have the authority to act against violators and strictly implement the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, ensuring that no religious place causes noise pollution using loudspeakers. Dr. Mathai commended the court’s directive, which mandates law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action against those violating noise pollution regulations.
Dr. Mathai emphasized that the use of loudspeakers for prayer calls is a longstanding practice in the Muslim community, but strangely it is not an essential aspect of religious observance. He acknowledged every individual’s right to practice their faith but stressed that this should not come at the expense of public peace. The amplified calls to prayer, especially at early hours or late at night, disrupt daily life and cause unnecessary inconvenience to people of all communities. Such practices, he argued, strains social harmony, making it imperative to balance religious expressions with civic responsibility.
Reiterating the Bombay High Court’s observation, Dr. Mathai pointed out that the use of loudspeakers is not a religious necessity. When Islam emerged over 1,500 years ago, prayers were observed without amplified sound. Devotees practiced their faith with sincerity, and with changing times, the continued use of loudspeakers for prayer calls has become a source of social tension. In today’s digital age, individuals have access to personal tools—such as phone alarms and digital reminders—that can enable them to observe their prayer times without disturbing others. He urged the Muslim community to embrace modern technology for their calls to prayer in a way that preserves public harmony.
Dr. Mathai further appealed to the Muslim community to view the court’s ruling as an opportunity to foster greater social cohesion. A society where faith is practiced with mutual respect strengthens its diverse fabric. He encouraged the community to accept this decision in the spirit of unity, ensuring that religious devotion and public tranquillity go hand in hand.
In conclusion, Dr. Mathai stated that all religious institutions and communities should adopt a balanced approach that upholds both the freedom to practice one’s faith and the right of others to a peaceful environment. A society built on mutual respect and understanding will only strengthen the spirit of coexistence that all religions preach.
