Tag: Noise Pollution

Haridwar Mosques For Noise Pollution

Haridwar Admin Fines 7 Mosques For Noise Pollution

By LokMarg

The Haridwar administration has fined 7 mosques for causing noise pollution. Reacting to this Jamiat Ulama Uttarakhand (JUT) President Maulana Mohammad Arif has alleged appeasement in view of upcoming elections.

Mosques in many villages of Pathri police station area of Haridwar district were warned to use loudspeakers for Azaan on a limited volume. But on the report of failing to do so, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Puran Singh Rana has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on 7 mosques. At the same time, two other mosques have been warned for causing noise pollution.

Muslim religious leaders are raising questions about the action taken regarding noise pollution in mosques.

Maulana Mohammad Arif, Uttarakhand president of Jamiat Ulama has said that meetings were held in every police station and it was decided to keep the volume low.

While raising questions on the fine, Maulana Arif said, “We had promised that we will reduce the volume, but I don’t think that a fine was necessary. It is not such a big crime that a fine is imposed. Those responsible should have been called and asked to keep it low.”

“Recently in Kanwar yatra, they were given permission to make a loud noise which was audible from half a kilometre away. It was very difficult for locals but the government didn’t take any action of fine or anything.”

“If the administration is only concerned about the noise pollution through azaan, then there is some politics behind it, “the Maulana said while questioning the intentions.

He further added that if noise pollution is such a huge problem then cars and vehicles are causing more noise pollution. He said that Azaan takes only 2 minutes while noise pollution through vehicles goes on continuously.

“If the administration is so concerned, they should stop DJs in weddings,” he added.

Maulana Mohammad Arif also alleged that the administration is taking selective action to appease one community.

“Everything happens with full volume but only mosques are being targeted,” he added and said that they were in constant touch with the government officials.

SDM Puran Singh Rana has said, “We received complaints of noise pollution from some religious places. After investigation, a fine of five thousand rupees has been imposed on 7 religious institutions and instructions have also been given not to cause noise pollution in future, if the order is not accepted by them, then their permission will be cancelled and with an increased fine and case will also be registered.”

SDM cited the High Court order for the action. “The High Court has ordered that noise pollution should be prevented. Without permission, the loudspeaker system will not be installed at any religious place or wedding point. The religious institutions which have been given permission are also being monitored.”

He further stated, “Outpost in-charges and pollution officers of the areas are monitoring the area.”

He also stated that cases would be registered against those failing to keep the volume at a low level. (ANI)

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The Diwali Fireworks

‘This Diwali Was Less Painful For My Pet’

By LokMarg

Tanvi, a Class VII student, shares the trauma her small pet went through last Diwali and the relatively peaceful night this year

The Diwali fireworks gave us a harrowing time last year. We had recently adopted a little pet and the loud, recurrent bangs of firecrackers sent him into a nervous tizzy. I kept on trying to cajole the barely one-year old pup but each loud burst made him jump with fear.

The hearing ability of dogs is many times higher than those of humans; they can perceive noises that are not audible to a human ear. That is why a cracker burst sounds several times louder to a dog, and hence their fear. It is sheer torture.

Thankfully, this year the sale and use of firecrackers was banned in Delhi. While there were still many people bursting the firecrackers, cocking a snook at the supposed ban, I am lucky to live in a gated colony where most residents followed the government directives.

For the past five-six years, our school teachers have been telling us about the environmental harm caused by firecrackers during Diwali, and I have been a strict follower of the campaign. In fact, my only remembrance of using a firecracker on Diwali is a ten-year old photograph where I am nervously holding a phooljhadi (fire-crackling stick). I love making rangolis patterns outside our house entrance, lighting candles and wearing new ethnic clothes every Diwali. Loud crackers are beyond me, especially the serial crackers.

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But I realised the true ill-effects of firecrackers when my mother brought home a pet – a small Shih Tzu pup who was so friendly and sweet that we decided to name him Sugar. In no time, the pet became an inseparable part of our life; Sugar is a living stuff toy first and a loving brother rolled into one. We shared not just the living space but also our difficult moments. People who have never kept a pet cannot understand the bond between a pet and its ‘parents’.

The playfulness of Sugar, our pet, not just entertained us but also taught me about basic needs and desires in life beyond human longings. Then came Dussehra 2019. Our housing society set up an effigy of Ravan to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Green crackers will be used, we were told, as per the state guidelines. The successive burst from the effigies and Sugar’s trauma warned us what would be in store for us on Diwali night.

We even thought of taking a small trip outside Delhi to avoid the noise but we could not. On Diwali night, our worst fears came true. Sugar ordeal was telling. As I mentioned earlier, we tried to keep him close, with reassuring hugs, but it was difficult time for him.

This year, the crackers noise did occur but since they were from faraway places, and not inside our group housing complex, the effect was so much less. Sugar remained playful and the family relieved. Yet, I cannot but spare a thought for the stray dogs, there is one adopted by our society too, who live on streets, exposed to Diwali bangs and kept running in fear the whole night. A festival must be an event of rejoice for all, not just a few. I sincerely hope, sanity and compassion will get the better of pollution and commotion every Diwali hereto.