Mumbai High Court Denies Mosque's Request for Loudspeaker Use

Court Ruling on Loudspeaker Use

The Nagpur bench of the Mumbai High Court has dismissed a petition from a mosque seeking permission to use loudspeakers, stating that the right to use such devices for religious activities cannot be claimed as a matter of entitlement.

In response to directives from the Supreme Court, the bench noted that no religion mandates the use of sound equipment or drums for prayer. Justices Anil Pansare and Raj Wakode highlighted that the issue of noise pollution has been a recurring concern.

The court took suo motu cognizance and instructed the Maharashtra government to present an effective solution. In its ruling on December 1, the court rejected the petition from the Gausia mosque in Gondia district, which sought permission to use loudspeakers for prayers.

The bench remarked that the petitioner failed to provide any evidence demonstrating that the use of loudspeakers is essential for their religious practices. The court concluded, "The petitioner cannot claim the right to use loudspeakers by framing it as a matter of religious entitlement. Therefore, the petition is dismissed."