Gujarat High Court, on Tuesday, dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the use of loudspeakers at mosques for Azaan, stating that it does not contribute to noise pollution. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee, deemed the petition “wholly misconceived” and questioned how the human voice in Azaan through loudspeakers could exceed permissible decibel limits.
The PIL, filed by Bajrang Dal leader Shaktisinh Zala, alleged that Azaan caused noise pollution, impacting public health. The court countered by highlighting that morning rituals in temples, such as aarti with drums and music, also produce noise. The bench emphasized that such practices have been followed for years and last for only 5-10 minutes.
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The court pointed out the lack of scientific data provided by the petitioner to substantiate claims of noise pollution caused by the ten-minute Azaan. It emphasized the petitioner’s failure to present evidence for a specific area and noted that the argument centered around the presence of people from different communities near mosques. The court ultimately rejected the PIL, emphasizing the longstanding nature of the religious practice and its brief duration.
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