IIT maths professor turns anti-noise guru

MUMBAI: For agitated post-2611 Mumbaikars, here is a new theorem to follow - the use of the power of One.

A mathematics professor at IIT Powai has quietly assumed the mantle of a successful anti-noise pollution crusader, sans media support, lobbying or any hysteria. Professor Kapil Joshi, also a resident on the Powai campus, has nudged the Powai police station into enforcing the 2005 Supreme Court order forbidding the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am at all places, religious worship being included.

The result: the Sunni Jama Masjid opposite the market gate of the IIT campus in Powai has been prohibited from using loudspeakers for the early morning azan, while the Swarna Mandir on Adi Shankaracharya Road has been told to refrain from ringing the temple bells beyond the maintainable decibel levels.

For the last three months, the Jama masjid has not been using the loudspeaker for the morning azan. The masjid’s maulana, Mohemmed Akhlaq Baig, confirmed the development. “The police have requested us not to use loudspeakers for the morning azan and we have complied with their order,” he said.

Prof Joshi’s efforts to bring down the noise pollution in the area (see box for the permitted levels) have paid off after persistent follow-ups with the local police stations for the past three years. His crusade began immediately after the SC passed the order in 2005 and he observed that this was being both ignored and flouted.

He approached the Powai, Parksite and Vikhroli police stations in 2005 in regard to the use of loudspeakers before 6 am. He also prevailed upon the leaders at the masjids - there are four to five surrounding the campus - to use them only after the stipulated time. His requests were acceded to but intermittently. The loudspeakers began blaring before 6 am once again during this Ramzan, in September.  Joshi approached the Powai police station once again and asked them to ensure that the SC order was enforced.

According to Maulana Baig,  “During the month of Ramzan, the police asked us to discontinue the use of loudspeakers for the announcement of sahari (announcement of the timings of the fast) after the first few days. A group of nearly 80 worshippers met the senior in charge of Powai police station and sought relaxation at least during the period of Ramzan. The police were sympathetic, but did not relent.” 

Baig alleged that the Jama Masjid was the only mosque in the area which was being refrained from using loudspeakers for the morning azan.

However Joshi’s complaint to the police covers all other masjids that fall under the adjacent police stations of Park Site and Vikhroli. Incidentally, the Powai police station tops in the cases (105) registered against noise pollution in last 3 years among the 86-odd police stations in Mumbai.

Regarding the Swarna Mandir case, Joshi said, “The devotees used to ring bells loudly every Sunday for nearly four hours during the day, with scant regard to the prescribed and maintainable decibel levels. This stopped after my complaint to the Powai police station in early 2006 and subsequent police action. Ever since then the practice has stopped.”

The impact of his action however took a dramatic turn, when Joshi visited the temple on Gokulashtami two years back. “The chief priest attempted an assault on me. I later registered an FIR against him at Powai police station,” Joshi said.

Incidentally, Joshi has extended the crusade to his native place Kolhapur, but hasn’t been successful - as yet.  When he sought similar compliance - in regard to a ban on the playing of devotional songs at the Datta mandir near Rankala lake at 5 am - the local cops threatened to book him for spreading religious disharmony.