The series of controversial tweets by Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam questioning the use of loudspeakers in Mosques for Azaan, not only created an uproar on social media, on Monday but also raised the issue of using gigantic loudspeakers in the name of rituals cutting across the religion. DNA tried to understand the views of Delhiites on the subject. While some criticized the singer for "targeting" a particular religion, some said that the issue should be raised as it's a common practice across the religions. Some even demanded a ban on the use of loudspeakers and mike in religious rituals. In 2012, the Delhi High Court ordered the mosques and temples to restrict the decibel of their loudspeakers following the guidelines on decibel limits under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and also asked them to position them at the height of eight feet from the ground.
Rajat Pachauri, 19, Engineering student
"We can't point at a particular religion for using loudspeakers in their rituals. The practice is common across all religions. Temples and Gurudwaras also use loudspeakers and even Church use mike during their prayer sessions. So, one can't target a religion saying that a particular sound is not letting one sleep."
Mudita Singh, 20, Student
"I think the practice of using loudspeaker should be banned in all the religions instead of holding one religion responsible for it. It's even more annoying in the residential areas. Last week there was a jagrata held in my locality and since we have a two-months-old baby at our home the situation had become really difficult for us. We even went ahead and asked them to lower down the voice but it did not work. We somehow have to cope with it for hours."
Mohammad Akbar, 42, Businessman
"Everyone is free to do and follow what they like. I do not see a problem with Hindus performing all-night Jagrans or Gurudwaras taking out Prabhat Pheris early in the morning. I do not see it as a nuisance, neither does it affects my sleep or life"
Shubhashish Dasgupta, 40, Deputy Manager, Bajaj Allianz
"Intolerance is growing leaps and bounds in this country. As long as we respect each other's religion, such small things do not matter. People like Sonu Nigam should refrain from giving such statements in public, thus creating hatred for no reason"
Dilip Kumar, 38, Finance Consultant
"I wake up to the calls of temple bells every morning at 5:30 and before this, when I stayed near Paharganj, I used to wake up with the Azaan calls, nothing has affected my sleep or health ever. Who and how someone chooses to worship is entirely their call and should not affect others"
Kumar Gaurav, 18, Student
"I had an exam today and last night there was a Jagran in a temple located close to my house in west Delhi's Rohini. It was very difficult to concentrate on studies. So, the use of loudspeaker is not limited to Mosques only, it's there at each and every place of worship cutting across the religions."
Silky, 19, Student
"Kirtans/Jagrans performed in the residential colonies do not cause any problem to us. My friends and I love to attend the 10 day-Durga Pooja celebration or week-long Navratri celebrations and we support other religions in the same way. It is someone's faith and we should show tolerance towards it"
Omesh Saigal, former Delhi chief secretary and petitioner
"My petition in the NGT has been going on for three years. The court has passed many orders but the problem is with the implementation. In other parts of the world there are sound breaking walls between the main road and the residential localities. The road planning has to be changed and done in a better way."
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